Fresno State Athletics
Wednesday, February 23
Fresno, CA
6 P.M. PT
Fresno State
10-16,6-9Mountain West
71
vs
70
New Mexico
22-8,13-4Mountain West
1
2
3
4
F
New Mexico
14
24
18
14
70
Fresno St.
25
12
19
15
71
Photo by: Samuel Marshall
'Dog defense prevails in final moment
2/23/2022 11:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. – For the past two months, it seems that things haven't gone Fresno State's way late in close games. On Wednesday, it felt like a switch was flipped. With 4.1 left on the clock, up one, Fresno State came up with its biggest defensive stop of the season to upset New Mexico 71-70 on Wednesday night at the Save Mart Center. The 'Dogs came up with four straight stops to close the game as neither team could produce a bucket during the final two-plus minutes.
The win gave Fresno State its first win in six tries to knock off a top-six team in the Mountain West when it held a lead at any point in the fourth quarter.
Haley Cavinder produced a game-high 25 points to go with eight rebounds and five assists. Amiee Book added a season-high 20 points, knocking down 6-of-11 from deep. New Mexico had four in double figures, led by 20 points from Antonia Anderson.
How It Happened
Tied going into the fourth, Fresno State managed to grab and hold on to a slim lead throughout the opening minutes. But midway through, the Bulldogs' bugaboo this season started to come. Leading by five, a 3-pointer came from UNM. The Bulldogs then split a pair at the line. A foul on a 3-point attempt and three free throws later, the game was level with 4:19 remaining on the clock.
A pair of missed shots by the 'Dogs and the Lobos capitalized at the other end with a put back with 3:30. Haley Cavinder quickly answered with a layup to draw level. Following a missed 3 at the other end, Fresno State got the shot it has been searching for as Amiee Book dropped in her sixth 3-pointer of the night.
New Mexico followed with a layup to cut Fresno State's lead to 71-70 with 2:24 to play. Unable to get a bucket to fall on its final four possessions, the Bulldogs had to rely on its defense to come up with stops, and they got them. On the final one, Book stayed in front and stayed long as LaTora Duff tried to get to the basket before seeing her attempt come up short.
Team Notes
Jaime White, Fresno State Head Coach
On closing a big game out...
"Definitely better than the last few games we've had you know we've been working so hard and we have really been so close."
On Amiee Book's performance...
"I can't say enough about Amiee Book opening it up for us. She was able to cause the defense to defend out and open some lanes."
On the team's mindset...
"Our kids really refuse to lose and had a good mindset starting the game especially after the stretch we've had so I'm really proud of them."
Amiee Book, Senior Forward
On how she's feeling after the win...
"It's a great feeling. My teammates they put me in positions to be successful out there and I got the shots, so credit to them."
On finishing the game...
"We're in every one of those games and we can compete with any team in the conference so to finish it out I think that's what we need going out in the last couple of weeks of conference play."
Up Next
The Bulldogs close out their home schedule on Saturday, hosting Air Force on Senior Day. Tipoff at the Save Mart Center is slated for 2 p.m. PT.
"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.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateWBB
Instagram: fresnostwbb
The win gave Fresno State its first win in six tries to knock off a top-six team in the Mountain West when it held a lead at any point in the fourth quarter.
Haley Cavinder produced a game-high 25 points to go with eight rebounds and five assists. Amiee Book added a season-high 20 points, knocking down 6-of-11 from deep. New Mexico had four in double figures, led by 20 points from Antonia Anderson.
How It Happened
Tied going into the fourth, Fresno State managed to grab and hold on to a slim lead throughout the opening minutes. But midway through, the Bulldogs' bugaboo this season started to come. Leading by five, a 3-pointer came from UNM. The Bulldogs then split a pair at the line. A foul on a 3-point attempt and three free throws later, the game was level with 4:19 remaining on the clock.
A pair of missed shots by the 'Dogs and the Lobos capitalized at the other end with a put back with 3:30. Haley Cavinder quickly answered with a layup to draw level. Following a missed 3 at the other end, Fresno State got the shot it has been searching for as Amiee Book dropped in her sixth 3-pointer of the night.
New Mexico followed with a layup to cut Fresno State's lead to 71-70 with 2:24 to play. Unable to get a bucket to fall on its final four possessions, the Bulldogs had to rely on its defense to come up with stops, and they got them. On the final one, Book stayed in front and stayed long as LaTora Duff tried to get to the basket before seeing her attempt come up short.
Team Notes
- Fresno State picked up its first win over a team in the top six of the conference standings.
- The Bulldogs were previously 0-5 this year against top six teams when having a fourth-quarter lead.
- Fresno State won its third game of the year when being outshot (39.7%-38.2%). The Bulldogs were previously 2-12 when being outshot this season.
- The 'Dogs earned their first win of the year in a game decided by five points or less (1-4).
- Fresno State held New Mexico to 24.1 percent from 3 (7-of-29). The Lobos entered the game 16th nationally in 3-point percentage, shooting 36.5 percent.
- The Bulldogs' bench outscored the Lobos' bench 26-4.
- Fresno State's seven turnovers tied a season-low against a D-I opponent.
- With a game-high 25 points, Haley Cavinder moves 26 points behind Wendy Martell for fifth on Fresno State's all-time scoring list.
- With 30 points on Saturday and 25 points tonight, Haley is only the third player under Jaime White (8 seasons) to record back-to-back games with at least 25 points joining Alex Sheedy and Candice White.
- Amiee Book posted a career-high 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting.
- Book connected on a season-high six 3-pointers (6-of-11).
- Hanna Cavinder had nine points, eight rebounds and six assists.
- Imani Lacy collected a season-high nine boards along with scoring eight points.
- Daylee Dunn tied her career high with six points, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers.
Jaime White, Fresno State Head Coach
On closing a big game out...
"Definitely better than the last few games we've had you know we've been working so hard and we have really been so close."
On Amiee Book's performance...
"I can't say enough about Amiee Book opening it up for us. She was able to cause the defense to defend out and open some lanes."
On the team's mindset...
"Our kids really refuse to lose and had a good mindset starting the game especially after the stretch we've had so I'm really proud of them."
Amiee Book, Senior Forward
On how she's feeling after the win...
"It's a great feeling. My teammates they put me in positions to be successful out there and I got the shots, so credit to them."
On finishing the game...
"We're in every one of those games and we can compete with any team in the conference so to finish it out I think that's what we need going out in the last couple of weeks of conference play."
Up Next
The Bulldogs close out their home schedule on Saturday, hosting Air Force on Senior Day. Tipoff at the Save Mart Center is slated for 2 p.m. PT.
"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.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateWBB
Instagram: fresnostwbb
Team Stats
UNM
Fresno
FG%
.397
.382
3FG%
.241
.385
FT%
.818
.750
RB
42
42
TO
9
7
STL
4
3
Game Leaders
Pts
25
FGM
10
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
20
FGM
7
3FGM
6
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballF
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