Second-half shooting goes cold in 74-59 defeat to Air Force

Thursday, February 2

Fresno, CA

6 P.M. PT

Fresno State

8-16,1-10Mountain West

Air Force

12-11,7-4Mountain West

Air Force

Fresno St.

Second-half shooting goes cold in 74-59 defeat to Air Force

2/2/2023 9:11:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Josh Mitchell / Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – Leading by two at the half and shooting a shade over 48 percent, Fresno State shot 30 percent during the final 20 minutes, getting outscored by 17 to fall 74-59 to Air Force on Thursday night at the Save Mart Center. The Falcons shot 52.9 percent from the field for the game.

Amiee Book had a team-high 14 points while Imani Lacy (13) and Yanina Todorova (10) joined her in double figures. Air Force's Kamri Heath and Madison Smith both eclipsed 20 points, dropping 24 and 23, respectively.

How It Happened
After Fresno State made its first shot attempt of the game, three straight misses ensued as Air Force opened by knocking down its first three to take an early 6-2 lead. Trading buckets throughout the period, the Bulldogs knotted up the game at 14-all on a 3-pointer from Amiee Book, her first of the night, and took their first lead on their next possession, a midrange jumper from Thea Mikkelsen.

The 'Dogs maintained its advantage through the second, building their lead to as much as eight at 33-25 with 3:12 on the clock after going 3-of-3 from deep in the period. The Falcons cut into the lead with six unanswered in a 70-second span. With both teams shooting over 48 percent from the field, Fresno State lead 35-33 at the half.

A 7-0 run by Air Force early in the third forced a timeout by the Bulldogs as they trailed 43-39 as just over two minutes had passed. Fresno State could only get to as close as one the remainder of the game (2:32 in the third quarter). With the Bulldogs' deficit standing at five with 8:32 to play, the Falcons went on a five-minute 14-3 run. Fresno State shot just 2-of-10 from the field in the final quarter.

Notes

Fresno State allowed an opponent to shoot over 47 percent from the field for the fourth straight game, and the second straight game with an opponent over 50 percent.
The Bulldogs dropped their first-ever game in Fresno to Air Force. They were previously 10-0 at home in the series.
Fresno State reached double-digit assist total (10) for the third time in conference play.
The 'Dogs shot 46.2 percent from 3 (6-of-13), their highest percentage in a game since Jan. 14 at Air Force (4-of-8; 50.0%).
Imani Lacy recorded her sixth game in double figures with 13 points. It was her fourth since scoring 13 points at Air Force on Jan. 14.
Amiee Book's 14 points was her highest total since 18 against Northern Arizona Dec. 8.
Yanina reached double figures for the 12th time this season with 10 points.

Next Up
Fresno State returns to the Save Mart Center on Saturday, hosting Boise State at 2 p.m. PT.

Fresno State Athletics - For The V: The Central Valley" - Bulldog student-athletes, coaches, and staff proudly wear the "Green V" to show their pride in representing the Central Valley. Stories of why the Bulldogs play for the "Green V" will be shared throughout the next year with #ForTheV. To become a Bulldog Foundation member or join "The Green V Society," please call 559-278-7160 or visit bulldogfoundation.org.

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