The Bulldogs will enter conference play with a record over .500 as the team beat Chicago State by 19 points Saturday night at the Save Mart Center.

Strong three-point shooting led the way for the Bulldogs, specifically from guard Ava Marr. The freshman scored 20 points against the Cougars while making six 3-pointers.

Defense was a significant reason why the Bulldogs led for the entire game. The Cougars scored just 18 points in the first half, while the Bulldogs scored 45.

Rebounding was another key factor in Saturday night’s contest as the Bulldogs out-rebounded the Cougars 46-26.

Despite the big win, McCarthy was not always pleased with his team’s performance. Multiple times in the second half, he called timeouts to try to refocus his team. The Cougars outscored the Bulldogs 25-15 in the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs will open Mountain West Conference play Wednesday, Dec. 17, at home against the San Diego State University Aztecs. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs lead the Cougars 74-47 with six minutes left in the fourth quarter. The large lead is thanks to a strong shooting performance from beyond the arc.

Marr has made six 3-pointers while Powell has three. Emilia Long, Alonia Oliver and Morelia Chavez each have one. As a team the Bulldogs are shooting 50%.

After three quarters of play, the Bulldogs lead the Cougars 66-37.

The Bulldogs have three players in double figures. Marr leads the team in scoring with 17 points and five made 3-pointers, while Powell has 14 and Gamble has 10.  The Bulldogs as a team are shooting 53% from the floor.

Guard Keona McGee is the only Cougar in double figures as she has 10 points on the night. The Bulldogs have held the Cougars to just 32% shooting.

The Bulldogs hold a 29-point lead entering the final quarter.

Despite leading the Cougars by 26 points, Bulldogs Head Coach Ryan McCarthy calls a timeout.

McCarthy is frustrated with his team’s defensive performance in the third quarter. The Bulldogs have given up 13 points in the third quarter thus far, multiple of which came from offensive rebounds by the Cougars.

The Bulldogs still lead the Cougars 57-31 with just over four minutes left in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs’ lead is up to 28 early in the third quarter.

Following a fight for a loose ball, a foul was called on the floor, but the officials are reviewing the play for a possible flagrant foul.

The Bulldogs lead the Cougars 50-22 with just under eight minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The Cougars did not make a field goal over the last four minutes of the first half. The Bulldogs grew their lead even further, entering the halftime break leading 45-18.

Powell leads the Bulldogs with 14 points, while Marr has 11 with three made 3-pointers.

Despite missing forward Ashlyn Rean, the Bulldogs are dominating the boards. They are out-rebounding the Cougars 26-10. Forward Avery Watkins leads the Bulldogs with nine rebounds.

The Bulldogs have scored at least 20 points in both quarters, while their defense has suffocated the Cougars, holding them to just six points in the first quarter and 12 in the second.

No player from the Cougars has more than six points, with guard Aiyanna Culver leading the team with six points.

The Bulldogs have extended their lead to 32-10 behind a 20-4 scoring run that started late in the first quarter.

Powell leads the Bulldogs with 11 points and has not missed a shot yet. Gamble and Marr follow her up with eight points each. Marr and Powell have each made two 3-pointers during the Bulldogs’ scoring run.

The Bulldogs lead is up to 22 points with just over six minutes left in the first half.

The Bulldogs lead the Cougars, 20-6, at the end of the first quarter. They ended the quarter scoring 11 unanswered points, including three made 3-pointers.

Guard Ava Marr leads the Bulldogs in scoring with eight points. As a team, the Bulldogs are shooting 63% from the floor and 80% from beyond the arc.

The Bulldogs’ defense suffocated the Cougars in the second half of the first quarter. The Cougars were held to just six points and did not score over the last four minutes of the period.

The Bulldogs lead the Cougars, 9-4, with just under five minutes left in the opening quarter.

Despite the Cougars shooting six free throws, they’ve made just two. Two points were taken off the Cougars’ total after a review showed a shot clock violation on a made shot.

Guard Danae Powell leads the Bulldogs with five points, while forward Jaisa Gamble has four points. They are the only Bulldogs to have scored thus far.