Bulldogs' season ends in Las Vegas

Sunday, March 6

Las Vegas, NV

2 P.M. PT

Fresno State

11-18,7-10Mountain West

Utah State

11-18,5-13Mountain West

Utah St.

Fresno St.

Bulldogs' season ends in Las Vegas

3/6/2022 10:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

LAS VEGAS – Leading for more than 33 minutes, Fresno State saw its fourth-quarter advantage fade away in the final 90 seconds, falling in the first round of the Mountain West tournament, 80-75, to Utah State on Sunday at the Thomas and Mack Center.

Haley Cavinder scored a team-high 21 points, with 19 of those coming in the final 15 minutes. Hanna Cavinder and Imani Lacy each added 14 points. Utah State had four finish in double figures led by 26 from Shyla Latone.

How It Happened
Following a second 3-pointer by Utah State to level the game at 6-6, Fresno State blitzed the Aggies for eight answered in 71 seconds to force a timeout four-and-a-half minutes into the game. The Bulldogs held a 24-18 lead after one but the shooting went cold in the second as they shot just 18.8 percent in the period. Utah State climbed back into the game through a 9-0 run as the 'Dogs went six minutes with a bucket. Tamia Stricklin ended the drought with 50 seconds remaining in the half with a step-back 3-pointer to give Fresno State a 32-31 heading into the half.

With the game tied 39-39 with 4:57 on the clock, a steal led to a run out for the Bulldogs and a pull-up 3 from Haley Cavinder. It was just a her second made field goal in 11 attempts. The bucket got the junior going though as she scored 10 of Fresno State's final 15 points in the quarter, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer to put the Bulldogs up 54-44 heading into the fourth.

The 'Dogs built their lead up to as much as 14 with 6:31 remaining in the game. Utah State countered with a 13-5 stretch to pull within three at 70-67 with 1:47 on the clock. A tough lay-in through contact at the other end sent Haley to the line for an and-1 where she converted the three-point play to put the 'Dogs back up six with 1:18 remaining.

From that point, the game turned. Shyla Latone quickly answered with her fifth 3-pointer of the quarter. Trying to inbound the ball under heavy pressure, Wytalla Motta was whistled for her fifth foul on a screen. The forward was then assessed a technical that led to Utah State pulling within one at the line. On the ensuing play, the 'Dogs were whistled for a foul on a fadeaway from just inside the arc that led to another pair at the line. The seven-point swing helped Utah State finish the game on a 13-2 run in the final 73 seconds with eight of those coming from the line.

Team Notes

The loss was Fresno State's first in the first round of the Mountain West tournament, and just the second time in 10 seasons that the Bulldogs haven't reached the semifinals.
For the second straight game this week against Utah State, Fresno State led for more than 30 minutes.
For the second straight game, the 'Dogs were outscored by double digits at the free throw line (22-11).
The loss was Fresno State seventh to a conference opponent this season when holding a fourth-quarter lead (7-7).

Player Notes

With 21 points, Haley Cavinder finished the season averaging 19.8 points per game overall which is the most by a junior in Mountain West history. Her 20.8 ppg in conference games was already the highest average for a junior.
Haley finished the year shooting 97.3 percent from the free throw line (109-of-112). The percentage surpassed the women's NCAA D-I record of 96.5 percent by Kitija Laksa of South Florida (111-of-115) which was set in 2018. *Records will not go final until the end of the season.
Haley's career point total stands at 1,639 points, seven points back of fourth on the Fresno State all-time scoring list.
With 15 points, Hanna Cavinder has 1,401 career points, nine back of No. 10 in Fresno State history.
With 14 points, Imani Lacy recorded her third double-digit scoring game in the last six games.
Jessica Peterson tied her season high in the scoring column with eight points.

"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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