The Fresno State women’s basketball team opened its first road trip of the season with a 68-57 victory over the Cal State Fullerton Titans on Saturday.
Fresno State was led by four players who scored in double-digits. Jacinta Vandenberg’s 15 points were the most by a Bulldog in the matchup.
“[Vandenberg] is just growing even more as a mature, confident player,” said Fresno State coach Raegan Pebley. “I think she’s built her confidence on such a solid foundation of hard work and fundamentals that when she hits those downward steps she’s going to bounce right back up.”
Junior forward Alex Sheedy, who began the game with a 3-pointer, and senior guard Taylor Thompson had 14 points apiece. Thompson added seven rebounds and four assists in 38 minutes played.
“I think we had some great leadership from our players, getting done what needs to get done,” Pebley said.
On defense, senior Bree Farley and sophomore Moriah Faulk had three steals apiece, and Fresno State forced 21 turnovers. Sixteen of them were in the first half and led to 23 points for Fresno State. Up 15-11 with 8:48 remaining in the first half, the Bulldogs outscored the Titans 13-4 to get a double-digit lead with 3:38 left in the frame.
In the second half, Cal State Fullerton was able to improve its ball-handling, but the damage was already done. A back-and-forth frame only kept the Fresno State lead active. The Bulldogs shot 44.8 percent from the field and were perfect in free-throw shooting.
“Fullerton did a great job, they made some great adjustments,” Pebley said. “I’m glad to see that our offense had better flow and rhythm to it with 40 minutes of zone.”
Next stop on the road is Pullman, Wash., where the Bulldogs will visit the Washington State Cougars on Friday.