Matt Weir / The Collegian
As the Fresno State women̢۪s basketball team practiced Monday morning, a light mood filled the air.
Players smiled and even exchanged a few jokes with each other all while maintaining a high level of intensity. The atmosphere alone seemed to say, “first place.â€Â
The team took the lead atop the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) on Feb. 8 when it routed San Jose State (SJSU) 76-47, and it clings to that position as the season winds to a close. The Bulldogs now begin a three-game home stand before ending the season on the road against Utah State.
After the win over SJSU the team̢۪s next contest was a disappointing loss to Idaho on the road. But the ̢۪Dogs bounced back with a big road win against Boise State in their latest game, snapping the Broncos̢۪ 15-game home winning streak. It was the first time Fresno State had beaten Boise on the road in three years.
In addition to the usual standout players, new names contributed to the effort. Joh-Teena Filipe got her first start of the season in Boise and Ashley Walker came off the bench to score 10 points in the second half.
The team hopes a strong finish and a regular-season championship will catapult them to a victory in the WAC tournament in Reno, Nev., and another round of “March Madnessâ€Â in the NCAA tournament.
Rallying fans for breast cancer awareness
The first game of the home stand is tonight against Nevada at 7 p.m.
Tonight̢۪s game marks the end of a 12-day break between contests for the Bulldogs. They play four games in their final 10 days of the regular season and need strong support from the community for the final push.
“We need everybody,â€Â said sophomore guard Taja Edwards, “Make that the headline: We need everybody there.â€Â
Tonight̢۪s game against Nevada also features several off-court promotions. It is Pink Zone Night, a fundraiser to raise awareness of breast cancer. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to support the Central Valley Affiliate for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
A ticket stub to yesterday̢۪s men̢۪s game is good for $1 admission tonight and, similar to last Thursday̢۪s Wii promotion, two pink iPod Nanos and iTunes gift cards will be given to the craziest and loudest fans in the arena. The team will donate $1 from every ticket sold will also be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Pink Night was first held in 2007, with 120 schools participating. Last year that number increased tenfold to 1,200 schools, who collectively raised almost one million dollars for breast cancer awareness and research.
“It’s a good cause,â€Â Edwards said, “We’re going to represent for our family members who have dealt with breast cancer.â€Â
Head coach Adrian Wiggins also expressed support for Pink Zone Night, saying, “It’s awesome. It’s something that has swept our country.â€Â
Winning streak lends confidence
Wiggins said he likes how the team is playing, emphasizing mental toughness and how few mistakes the team made in their last few games.
The Bulldogs need to maintain that mental toughness if they expect to win the championship. Nevada is in fourth place and Monday night’s game showcases second-place Louisiana Tech. A loss against Louisiana Tech would put the team back in second place behind the “otherâ€Â Bulldogs and possibly cost them the title.
Sophomore forward Hayley Munro feels optimistic about the team̢۪s potential to win the games.
“We can still improve, which is a good sign. Whichever team hustles and gets those loose balls will win, and we need to make sure we get all four wins,â€Â Munro said.
After winning six of their last seven games, it appears the Bulldogs have peaked at the perfect time of the year. They control their own destiny in the conference and in the nation.
“It will be nice to have [the conference tournament] in Reno, and it feels great to be playing so well here at the end,â€Â Wiggins said.