'Dogs welcome Lobos on Wednesday

Game 26: Fresno State (9-16, 5-9 MW) vs. New Mexico (22-7, 13-3 MW)
Feb. 23, 2022 • 6 p.m. PT • Fresno, Calif. (Save Mart Center)
TV/WEB: Stadium/Mountain West Network (Matt Norville)
RADIO: Bulldog Sports Network/KRDU 1130AM (Matt Norville)
LIVE STATS: B ulldogsLive.com
SERIES HISTORY: New Mexico leads 16-15
LAST MEETING: New Mexico 80, Fresno State 74 [1/22/22 – Albuquerque, N.M.]

FREE PARKING AT SAVE MART CENTER
For the final two games of the season, Fresno State will be offering free parking at the Save Mart Center (Feb. 23, Feb. 26).

THE BREAKDOWN

Fresno State is set to face its final top four team in the Mountain West standings on Wednesday in New Mexico. The Lobos will be the fifth top-four opponent for the Bulldogs in their last six games.
Despite a close defeat (80-74) earlier this year at The Pit in which the Bulldogs held a fourth-quarter lead, Fresno State is 6-2 in the last eight games against UNM.
The 'Dogs are 9-3 all-time in Fresno against the Lobos, winning their last two home games in the series. The two have not met at the Save Mart Center since Jan. 8, 2020 as the last five contests have been played either in Albuquerque, N.M., Las Vegas, Nev., or Canyon, Texas.
The Bulldogs have held lead at some point during the fourth quarter of 10 of 14 conference games.
Fresno State ranks No. 5 nationally in turnovers per game, committing just 11.3 per game.
Haley Cavinder is the only player in the only player in the country to rank in the Top 45 in points (19.1), rebounds (9.7) and assists (5.8) per game.
Cavinder has recorded a double-double in eight of 14 conference games, the most in the league. Overall, her 12 double-doubles rank 23rd nationally.
Last Saturday, Cavinder posted the second 30-point game of her career while also dishing out nine assists. The point guard had a hand in 52 of the Bulldogs' 69 points. She is currently 6th on Fresno State's all-time scoring list with 1,544 points, 51 behind Wendy Martell.

LIMITING MISCUES
Fresno State sits comfortably in the nation's Top 10 in turnovers per game at No. 5, committing 11.3 per contest. The 'Dogs finished each of the last two seasons ranked inside the Top 20 with a high of 16th.

Prior to the 2019-20 season, Fresno State had not finished the season inside the Top 60 and had finished outside the Top 100 three times since the start of the 2014-15 season.

SEARCHING FOR A STEADY LINEUP

Through a number of unforeseen circumstances, Fresno State has been forced to shuffle its lineup more often than most coaches would like. The Bulldogs began the year with the same starting five for seven games. On Dec. 4 (Game 8), the lineup saw its first change of the year when Wytalla Motta moved into the lineup. A game later, Tamia Stricklin was inserted to the five.

Fresno State used three different lineups during its 11-game nonconference schedule. In 13 conference games, the Bulldogs used four different starting lineups during the first month but then went six games with the same lineup. The 'Dogs have gone with a new lineup, the seventh and eighth different one of the season, in each of their last two outings.

DOING IT ALL
Haley Cavinder has had her hand in everything that the Bulldogs have done. The 5-foot-6 point guard is averaging 19.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and in 5.8 assists per game. The Bulldog sits first in scoring, rebounding, double-doubles (12) and free throw percentage (.978) in the MW and second in assists.

Nationally, Cavinder is 12th in assists per game, 29th in points per game and 42nd in rebounds per game.
Cavinder is the only player in the country averaging at least 19.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, the only player to rank in the Top 45 in all three categories.
In conference play, Cavinder leads the league in both scoring (20.0 ppg) and (10.3 rpb) and ranks second in assists (6.0 apg).

SCOUTING NEW MEXICO

New Mexico heads into Wednesday's contest sitting second in the Mountain West at 13-3, 22-7 overall.
The Lobos are the conference's top scoring offense at 77.1 points per game which ranks 16th nationally. In turn, they rank eighth in the league in defense, allowing 67.0.
UNM ranks 11th in the NCAA in field-goal percentage, shooting at a 45.9 percent clip. The Lobos also sit 16th in 3-point percentage at 36.5 percent.
New Mexico has attempted (769) and made (281) the second-most 3-pointers in the country this year.
Led by Shaiquel McGruder (14.9 ppg), all five UNM starters are averaging between 11-15 points per game. McGruder is sixth in the NCAA in field-goal percentage (62.3%).
LaTascya Duff is the Lobos' top 3-point threat, shooting 44.8 percent, 10th nationally, while making the 29th-most in the country per game at 2.61.
UNM swept this week's Mountain West honors with Jaedyn De La Cerda being named Player of the Week and Paula Reus Freshman of the Week.

UPDATED SAVE MART CENTER GAME DAY INFORMATION

Based on public health guidelines, all Save Mart Center attendees must be fully vaccinated OR have obtained a negative COVID-19 test (persons 3 years and older).
Masks will be required for all indoor areas. At the Save Mart Center, masks will be required at all times, with exception for when actively eating or drinking.
For non-vaccinated guests 3 years or older, proof of a negative PCR test will be required within 2 days of the event OR an antigen test within 1 day of the event.
Guests will need to show the negative results of their tests, or show proof of full vaccination at one of the tents outside of the arena prior to entry.

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.

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'Dogs welcome Lobos on Wednesday

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Players Mentioned

Haley Cavinder

Wytalla Motta

Tamia Stricklin

Fresno State Athletics

'Dogs welcome Lobos on Wednesday

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Next Event

Players Mentioned

Haley Cavinder

Wytalla Motta

Tamia Stricklin

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