The Fresno State women’s basketball team (16-10) lost 67-55 to the University of Nevada, Reno on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at the Save Mart Center. As a result of air-tight defense from the Wolf Pack, the Bulldogs were held to near season-lows in every shooting category.
The Bulldogs were led by junior forward Mia Jacobs, who was the team’s only player in double digits, recording 19 points along with eight rebounds, one block and two steals. However, those 19 points didn’t come easily, as the Wolf Pack’s defense made Jacobs work for every point.
The Wolf Pack held Jacobs to a 5-for-13 (38.5%) shooting night from the field and 2-for-6 (33.3%) from the 3-point range. Jacobs did find success at the free-throw line, going 7-for-8 (87.5%).
As a team, the Bulldogs were held to poor shooting numbers that are on par with their season-lows, going 18-for-52 (34.6%) from the field and 5-for-20 (25%) from beyond the arc.
In contrast, the Wolf Pack shot well above their season averages, going 24-for-53 (45.3%) from the field and 8-for-14 (57%) — a season-high in 3-point percentage.
What happened?
The Bulldogs opened the first quarter with back-to-back 3-pointers from Jacobs and sophomore forward Kylee Fox, which gave the ‘Dogs an early 6-0 lead.
But after a slow start from the Wolf Pack, they began to find their groove on offense as they closed the quarter on an 11-7 run. They held the Bulldogs to zero points scored in the final three minutes finishing the quarter with a 17-13 lead.
In the second quarter, Head Coach Jaime White continued to give different looks on defense, going from a full-court press to transitioning into a 2-3 zone defense. As a result, the Bulldogs were able to force a heap of deflections and steals.
However, the Bulldogs couldn’t find the same success on offense despite getting open looks as their shots wouldn’t fall.
The Wolf Pack capitalized on the Bulldogs’ misses and started draining shots of their own to enter halftime up 30-22.
Through two quarters, Nevada was hitting on all cylinders on offense, shooting 12-for-28 (42.9%) from the field and 4-for-7 (57.1%) from the 3-point line. The Wolf Pack also had their way in the paint, scoring 14 points under the rim. On the other hand, the Bulldogs went 7-for-28 (25%) from the field and 3-for-10 (30%) from the 3-point line.
The third quarter started off as a game of runs, with the Bulldogs opening up on a 6-2 run to bring the ‘Dogs within 32-29. But the Wolf Pack responded with a 13-8 run to bloom their lead to 46-37 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs faced an uphill battle the entire time, as the Wolf Pack kept the ‘Dogs at bay en route to their 67-55 win.
Fresno State drops to 7-6 in conference play, but holds their spot at fourth place in the Mountain West standings.
What’s next?
The Bulldogs will look to get back in the win column at Boise State University as they take on the Broncos on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 1 p.m.
