'Dogs set for final matchup with Falcons

FRESNO STATE (11-14, 4-8 MW) vs AIR FORCE (12-13, 5-7 MW)
Wed. Feb. 14, 2024 | 5:30 p.m. PT / 6:30 p.m. MT | Mountain West Network | Clune Arena | USAFA, Colo.

MEDIA COVERAGE
WATCH: Mountain West Network
Stats: StatBroadcast
Listen: Bulldog Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Matt Norville
Twitter (X): @FresnoStateWBB

FRESNO, Calif.- Fresno State women's basketball is back on the road to close out the season series with the Air Force Falcons in Colorado on Wednesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PT / 6:30 p.m. MT streaming on the Mountain West Network.

BULLDOG BONES

Fresno State is 4-8 in conference play
Bulldogs wrap season series with the Falcons on Wednesday night
For the first time this season, the entire starting lineup finished the game scoring at least 2 points
Taija Sta. Maria is once again tabbed as MW Freshman of the Week, her third honor this season
Fresno State starts the week at 62 ppg, a -1.75 scoring margin and a -2.17 rebounding margin
Bulldogs continue to hold the No. 1 rank in turnover margin at +4.08
Fresno State moves back to tie at No.1 in 3PFGM with 88 (7.3 avg)
On the court Fresno State shoots 38% from the field, 31% from the field, and 68% from the foul line
No. 9 Fresno State will visit No. 8 Air Force
With the win a second against Utah State, Fresno State has already passed its win total and conference win total from a season ago. (11-12, 4-6 MW) *As of Feb. 3
Three Bulldogs have been tabbed with Mountain West honors so far this season, Taija Sta. Maria (3x, Freshman of the Week, Nov. 13, Dec. 11 & Feb. 12 ), Kylee Fox (Freshman of the Week, Nov. 11) and Mia Jacobs (Player of the Week, Dec. 26)

3X FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
True freshman Taija Sta. Maria earns her third MW Weekly honor this season. Logged 18 points, four assists and two rebounds on the week.

At Colorado State, posted seven points, shooting 40 percent from the field and 75 percent from beyond the arc. Against then-No.25 UNLV, registered 11 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and 75 percent from three-point range. Taija Sta. Maria has earned her third Freshman of the Week honor this season. Sta. Maria ties with two other freshmen for three weekly honors (Lovett, San Jose State) (Sullivan, Nevada)

Against UNLV Sta. Maria was the team's leading scorer with 11 points and saw her first time back in double-figures since mid-January at New Mexico (10 points). Sta. Maria is the only Freshman in program history to have more than one MW Freshman Weekly Honor. As of Jan. 11 Sta. Maria ranks 6th in assists with 42 (3.5 avg), 2nd in assist/turnover ratio 42-to-17, 2.47 ratio in the Mountain West.

ROAD WORK
Bulldogs are back on the road after a tough loss to Colorado State earlier this past week. Fresno State have seen their struggles on the road this season winning a total of three games on the road, two true road wins. Both true road wins have been during conference play. 'Dogs saw their largest loss on the road against Colorado by thirteen points, 69-56.

Fresno State shoots between 30-40% in all road loss conference match ups, in their two wins Bulldogs successfully shot over 40%. Fresno State is 2-0 on the road when shooting over 40% from the field. (41% at San Jose) (42% at Utah State.) Bulldogs highest shooting percentage from the field on the road during conference came in New Mexico shooting 46% 30-of-65.

ABOUT THE MATCHUP
Fresno State and Air Force will meet for the 23rd time in program history and their 12th time at USAFA . Fresno State leads the all-time series at 19-4 and the road match ups, 8-3. With a win in Fresno, 59-49, the Bulldogs snapped a Falcons two game win streak in the series.

The last road win for the 'Dogs was on Feb. 20, 2019 taking a seven point lead over the Falcons, 77-70. Fresno State has dropped the previous three match ups with the Falcons, but prior to 2019 had not seen a loss on the road.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

Air Force will host the Bulldogs on a one game win streak after a six point win over Utah State, 78-72
Falcons have an 8-5 home record this season and 2-4 in home conference match ups
Falcons hold a -2.25 scoring margin and -6.08 rebounding margin, while shooting 39% from the field, 35% from the three, 75% from foul line
Air Forces last home win was against Colorado State in late January, 59-49
Category leaders: Points (Milahnie Perry, 16.5 pts/g) Rebounds (Jayda McNabb, 6.2 avg/g)
Keelie O'Hallaren was recently tabbed as MW Freshman of the week (Feb. 5) after leading her team to a 2-0 week and averaged 10.5 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal per game.

BULLDOG HIGHLIGHTS

Taija Sta. Maria enters back into double-figures for the first time since mid-January at New Mexico (10)
Fresno State shot 34% from the field, 40% from the three and 50% from the foul line
Fresno State held a team that averaged 79 ppg to 63 ppg
Bulldogs saw more points off turnovers (13-to-11) and the bench (24-to-21)
Team highs: points (Taija Sta. Maria, 11) Rebounds (Sydney Dethman, 5) Assists (Keely Brown, 3)

"Fresno State Athletics - Elevate: Imagine the Possibilities" - The Elevate Campaign provides a visionary roadmap to enhance and construct a series of athletic facilities to help further position Fresno State Athletics for sustained competitive success nationally, while also further serving as a source of pride and economic growth throughout California's Central Valley. For more information, visit GoBulldogs.com/elevate

Fresno State Athletics

'Dogs set for final matchup with Falcons

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