NCAA tournament hopes ruined
Women's loss to Aggies likely ends any chance of NCAA tournament big
Staff Reports
The Collegian
The Fresno State women’s basketball team will have to wait for at-large consideration for the NCAA tournament or WNIT berth after losing to the New Mexico State Aggies in the quarterfinals of the WAC Tournament.
The Bulldogs were unable hold out against three-point shooting and a double-double from New Mexico State’s Cecilia Russell-Nava. The Bulldogs lost 74-66.
The Bulldogs outshot the Aggies with 45.5 percent overall in comparison to the Aggies 35.6 percent. Strong rebounding by the Aggies kept them in the game.
Head coach Adrian Wiggins gave credit to New Mexico State. “They played harder than we did and deserve to win,” Wiggins said.
Wiggins said in this match up the Aggies were better at rebounding and on the line.
“I didn’t feel like we gave the effort we normally do and you absolutely must at this time of year,” he said.
Mirenda Swearengin led the Bulldogs with 18 points, six assists and six steals. Chantella Perera scored 14 points and made five rebounds, while Tierre Wilson contributed 11.
Fresno State was outscored 50-36 in the second half despite forcing 18 turnovers.
The Bulldogs led the first half and opened strong in the second with a three pointer from Perera but were to keep up with the Aggies who scored 12 of the last 14 points.
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