Women's Basketball Preview
Fresno State (18-5, 10-1) at Nevada (9-14, 5-6)
Point Guards
Mirenda Swearengin has become an automatic at the point guard position. In 15 games this season, Swearengin is averaging 12.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.
Those numbers have helped give Fresno State a 13–2 record since she came back for the second semester. Swearengin’s defense will also be important as her counterpart is coming off of a game-high performance in points and rebounds.
Traci Graham is coming off of a 15-point effort against New Mexico State, and will need an effort at least that good for the Wolf Pack to have any chance against them. Graham connected on the only three-pointer for the Wolf Pack. She was 1 of 3 from behind the arc.
Guards
Despite coming off the bench every game for the Bulldogs, Tierre Wilson has been nails. She is the offensive spark for the Bulldogs, and her versatility takes the Fresno State offense to a new dimension.
Chantella Perera is the reigning WAC Player of the Week, coming off of a 20-point performance, hitting on 4 of 6 three-pointers and 6 of 6 on her free throws. Jasmine Plummer will lock down whoever she guards—it’s automatic.
The main scoring threat from Nevada comes by way of Brandi Fitzgerald. At about 11 points per game, Fitzgerald is the only member of the Wolf Pack to average double-figures in points. Other than Fitzgerald, it is impossible to know if any other Nevada player will have a breakout game. Meghan McGuire is one option after scoring 10 points off the bench against New Mexico State.
Forwards
The focus for Nevada has to be Amy Parrish. Parrish has been the Wolf Pack killer. In two games against Nevada, Parrish has scored 36 points while shooting over 50 percent from the field. Brittani Green is a quiet but effective player for the Bulldogs. She averages 5.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per game, but the Wolf Pack can't leave her alone, because she is a very capable offensive player. Erica Henry and Andrea Roberson have also been solid off the bench for Fresno State.
Cherlanda Franklin and Jessica Pressler combined for 15 points in Nevada's victory against New Mexico State. That number will likely decrease as they go up against stiffer competition in Green and Parrish. The Wolf Pack will need scoring from the paint in order to have any chance of winning against the Bulldogs.
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