The Fresno State women’s basketball team let one slip away Friday night at home to the University of Washington.
In a back-and-forth game all the way through, the Huskies used a 12-0 run late in the fourth to pull away and secure the 89-79 win.
The ‘Dogs battled early as they hung tough with the Huskies. A layup by Shauqunna Collins and a jumper by Brittany Aikens gave them a 2-point, 22-20 lead over the Huskies at the end of the first quarter.
Fresno State and Washington battled back-and-forth to even the game at 32-32 with 2:34 left in the second quarter, and from that point the ‘Dogs turned it on.
With a layup and free throw from Moriah Faulk, the Bulldogs took the lead and finished off the second period strong with a couple more buckets to go into halftime with a 39-34 lead.
In the third period, the ‘Dogs started off their scoring with a jump shot from Bego Faz Davalos. But with a couple of 3-pointers, the Huskies cut into the Fresno State lead, eventually tying things up at 43 early in the third.
Washington took the lead midway through the third (58-54), but the ‘Dogs responded with a 3-pointer from Faulk and moments later, a layup by Toni Smith gave the ‘Dogs a 64-59 advantage late in the third.
The Huskies went on a 6-0 run to finish off and went into the fourth quarter with a one-point lead at 65-64.
The ‘Dogs struck first in the fourth with Breanne Knishka’s 3-pointer, taking back the lead. But that was the only basket for the ‘Dogs for a while as the Huskies went on a 12-0 tear.
Fresno State (1-2) had five players in double figures on a night with Faulk (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Faz Davalos (16 points, 16 rebounds) leading the way with double-doubles.
“I’m just as pleased with the rebounds,” said second-year Fresno State head coach Jaime White. “Bego had seven offensive rebounds, and Moriah had 11 total rebounds. I thought Toni [Smith] had some great moments, too, with 14 points. Breanne kept hanging around and knocking some down. I thought Shauqunna [Collins] did a good job of pushing some tempo when she had it.”
