Sports

Game recap: Women’s basketball falls at home to Lopes in defensive battle

Emilia Long (11) steps back behind a Hedda Koehne (25) screen during the first half of a game against the Grand Canyon Lopes at the Save Mart Center.

By Finnley Pendergast, Sports Editor • Feb 25, 2026

Check for Updates

Pinned

Bulldog bites

The Fresno State women’s basketball team begins its final three games in the regular season at the Save Mart Center with a midweek battle against the Grand Canyon University Antelopes.

This match could have major Mountain West tournament seeding impacts. A Bulldogs’ win would move the teams into a tie in Mountain West standings with just two games to go for both teams. Due to a tiebreaker, the ‘Dogs would take over the No. 6 seed in the standings.

The Bulldogs struggled from the field in the first quarter, shooting just 20% from the field.

The second quarter was much of the same. The ‘Dogs ended the half on a three minute scoring drought and turned the ball over four times during that stretch.

The Bulldogs’ intensity on the defensive end increased halfway through the third quarter, with multiple players diving for potential steals. A 7-0 run near the end of the quarter put the Bulldogs within striking distance to start the fourth quarter.

Updated

Feb 25, 2026, 8:26 pm

Bulldogs lose 57-42

The Bulldogs ended the game on a four minute scoring drought, failing to complete the comeback.

The Lopes added points late in the game, ballooning their lead back to double-digits.

Powell and Long had 13 points each, totaling 12 rebounds combined.

The ‘Dogs played from behind for most of the contest.

The Bulldogs will be back at the Save Mart Center on Feb. 28 for Senior Night against UNLV. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

Updated

Feb 25, 2026, 8:19 pm

McCarthy calls second timeout

Both teams have struggled to take the lid off the basket, going on scoreless stretches.

The ‘Dogs have not made a field goal in over five minutes while the Lopes have not made one in nearly four minutes.

The Lopes lead 49-42 with under three minutes to play.

Updated

Feb 25, 2026, 8:09 pm

Timeout on the floor

The Bulldogs were able to make it a two point game at one point.

An 0-for-4 shooting streak combined with a 6-0 run from the Lopes put the ‘Dogs down 48-40 with over six minutes to go in regulation.

The ‘Dogs have three team fouls in the quarter while the Lopes have yet to commit a foul.

Updated

Feb 25, 2026, 7:59 pm

‘Dogs enter fourth quarter down five

Danae Powell cut into the Lopes’ lead with seven straight points, including a converted and-one with three minutes to go in the third quarter.

The and-one sparked the Bulldogs and the crowd as the ‘Dogs increased intensity on the defensive end, with multiple players diving for potential steals.

The ‘Dogs forced a near-four minute scoring drought late in the third quarter.

The Lopes will enter the fourth quarter with their smallest lead since the opening quarter. The Lopes lead 41-36 with 10 minutes to go in regulation.

Updated

Feb 25, 2026, 7:44 pm

Timeout on the floor

The Bulldogs have cut into the Lopes’ lead in the third quarter.

The ‘Dogs will be in the bonus for the final 4:24 minutes of this quarter.

Despite shooting 25% in the quarter, the Bulldogs have crept back into the game by forcing five turnovers on the defensive end.

The Lopes still lead 36-25.

Updated

Feb 25, 2026, 7:23 pm

Lopes lead at the half

The Bulldogs couldn’t get much going offensively, ending the first half on a three minute scoring drought.

Over that stretch, the ‘Dogs turned the ball over four times.

Avery Watkins leads the team with six points and three rebounds. Emilia Long added three points and six rebounds, the most of any Bulldog.

The ‘Dogs are shooting just 17% from the field and are losing the rebounding battle, 26-17.

Updated

Feb 25, 2026, 7:10 pm

Timeout on the floor

Through over seven minutes in the second quarter, the Lopes and ‘Dogs have combined for just 13 points.

The Bulldogs continue to struggle from the field, shooting 19% so far.

The Lopes have been able to win the battle inside, with a 22-14 lead in the rebounding category.

The ‘Dogs have spent over a minute of this game tied but have yet to see a lead.

The Lopes lead 28-16 with under three minutes remaining in the first half.

Updated

Feb 25, 2026, 6:57 pm

Lopes lead after one quarter

The Lopes controlled most of the first quarter after forcing a slow start for the ‘Dogs.

The Bulldogs were able to keep it within single digits at the free throw line, going 5-of-6 from the charity stripe in the first quarter.

Through 10 minutes, the Lopes lead the ‘Dogs 19-12.

Updated

Feb 25, 2026, 6:47 pm

Timeout on the floor

The Bulldogs have come out cold from the floor, shooting just 1-for-8 halfway through the first quarter.

Lopes lead 10-6 with just under five minutes to go in the opening quarter.

The Fresno State women’s basketball team begins its final three games in the regular season at the Save Mart Center with a midweek battle against the Grand Canyon University Antelopes.

The Bulldogs are coming off a tough loss at San Diego State, where the Bulldogs saw the Aztecs cut down the nets as they celebrated winning the Mountain West regular-season title.

The ‘Dogs are winners of four of their last five, including an upset win against the Boise State Broncos in their last home game. This time, the ‘Dogs will be without forward Indiya Clarke and guard Aloni Oliver. Both players were seen wearing medical boots in pregame warmups. They join Ashlyn Rean, Kenzie Sirowich and Brianna Webb with injuries.

The last time the ‘Dogs and Lopes matched up, the ‘Dogs had a lead heading into the fourth quarter, but were outscored 20-11 in the final 10 minutes by the Lopes.

Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m.

NOTE: Live coverage updates will not populate when viewing this story on the College News Source app. To view the updates, click this link.

About the Contributor

Finnley Pendergast, Sports Editor

Finnley Pendergast is the Sports Editor for The Collegian and senior at Fresno State. He started working for The Collegian in the fall of 2024 as a Reporter before moving to Sports Editor in the spring of 2025. Finnley is majoring in Mass Communication and Journalism with an emphasis in Broadcast and Multiplatform Journalism. He plans to pursue a career on broadcasts, whether in front of or behind the camera.

Donate to The Collegian

$595

$1500

Contributed

Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Fresno State Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.