'Dogs drop three-point game at Air Force

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – For the second straight game, Fresno State nearly erased a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit. Trailing by 13 through 30 minutes on Saturday afternoon, the Bulldogs got to within one with 51 seconds to play but were unable to convert on multiple possessions downs the stretch, falling 71-68 at Clune Arena.

Fresno State's trio of Imani Lacy (13), Yanina Todorova (19) and Amaya West (15) combined for 47 points. Air Force countered with 46 points from Nikki McDonald (14), Madison Smith (15) and Milahnie Perry (17).

The Bulldogs shot their highest percentage of the season from the field (52.4%). Twenty-eight turnovers limited their opportunities though as they had 14 fewer attempts than Air Force.

How It Happened

Air Force controlled the opening quarter after shooting 81.8 percent from the field. The Bulldogs shot 54.5 percent but a 7-0 Falcon run midway through the period put AFA up eight and the Falcons led 21-14 after 10 minutes. Fresno State climbed back into the contest through an 8-0 run during a near-four-minute span. But down one, Amaya West and Imani Lacy were tagged with offensive fouls on back-to-back possessions sending them to the bench for the remainder of the half with two fouls apiece.

With just under two minutes on the clock, a long rebound led to a 3-on-2 and Daylee Dunn triggered a triple from the wing to give Fresno State its first lead of the afternoon at 31-29. The 'Dogs extended their lead to 34-30, and with the clock ticking down to halftime they saw their advantage turn into a halftime deficit with 1.9 left. A 3-pointer from the top of the key and a foul call on a box out that led to a pair at the line handed the Falcons a five-point trip and a 35-34 lead. The 3 was Air Force's first field goal since the 7:50 mark in the quarter.

The game nearly grinded to a halt early in the third as one foul after another was called throughout the first five minutes. With the Bulldogs trailing by four after a layup from Franka Wittenberg. Air Force outscored Fresno State 14-5 during the final four-and-a-half minutes of the period, punctuated by a 3-pointer from Nikki McDonald at the buzzer.

It did not take long for the Bulldogs to nearly erase the deficit, going on a 10-0 run in just over two minutes with 3's from Dunn and Yanina Todorova book-ending an and-1 inside from Lacy. Perry answered the run with a 3-pointer of her own. The 'Dogs countered with four on the next two possessions to pull within two but Perry followed up with four more of her 11 straight points for the Falcons to maintain Air Force's slim lead.

After Wittenberg converted a pair at the line with 55 seconds left on the clock, West stole the inbound underneath the basket and went straight up to pull the 'Dogs within one at 69-68. Three straight turnovers followed though as Air Force held on for a three-point win.

Notes

Fresno State dropped its third straight game at Clune Arena, its only three losses in the series (18-3).

Fresno State shot over 50 percent from the field for the first time this season (52.4%).

The Bulldogs made 20 free throws, their second most in game this year (20-of-29).

Fresno State lost its 10th straight game when trailing at the half.

The 'Dogs had 28 turnovers, their second-most in a game this season.

Imani Lacy (13), Yanina Todorova (19) and Amaya West (15) each reached double figures for the second time in conference play.

Todorova was 8-of-8 from the free throw line, career highs in both makes and attempts.

Daylee Dunn came off the bench and knocked down two 3-pointers (2-of-3), tying her season high for made 3's in a game.

Sydney Dethman recorded a career-high three blocks.

Next Up

Fresno State has a quick turnaround, returning to Fresno to host Utah State on Monday. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT and will air on CW59 and Mountain West Network.


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