FRESNO STATE (5-2) VS PORTLAND STATE (3-2)
Wed. Nov. 29 | 6 p.m. PT | Mountain West Network | Save Mart Center | Fresno, Calif.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Watch: Mountain West Network
Stats: BulldogsLive.Com
Bulldog Sports Network (BSN)
Play-by-play: Matt Norville
Analyst/Sidelines: Taylor Martinez
Twitter (X): @FresnoStateWBB
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State women's basketball team returns to the Save Mart Center on Wednesday night to host Portland State at 6 p.m. PT.
BULLDOG BONES
Fresno State is coming off a win at the GCU Classic against Eastern Illinois, 70-60
Bulldogs are 4-0 when playing at home this season
Kylee Fox and Keely Brown were Fresno State's top scorers at the GCU Classic, Fox (8, vs GCU) and Brown (19, vs EIU)
For the fourth time this season, Fresno State has scored 70 points while keeping their opponent to 65 or less points
Fresno State earns their first win on the road against Eastern Illinois
Fresno State is ranked No.3 in three of the Mountain West's team categories; scoring offense (69.5 avg), rebounding defense (230 rebounds, 32.8 avg) and rebounding margin (+5.29)
Through seven games four Bulldogs have over 50 points; Keely Brown (79), Mia Jacobs (75), Taija Sta. Maria (63) and Bineta Diatta (50)
Fresno State currently sits fourth in the Mountain West with a record of 5-2 through three weeks of play
Fresno State sits alongside fellow Mountain West opponent Boise State with five wins through three weeks of play
Bulldogs are looking to continue their win streak at home (4-0) and coming off their first road win of the season
Fresno State recorded their highest team score this season vs UC Merced, 100-47
BULLDOG HIGHLIGHTS
Junior Keely Brown recorded a team high of 19 points against Eastern Illinois at the GCU Classic
Senior Deajanae Harvey would spark a change in the game for the Bulldogs against the Panthers, with back-to-back three pointers, taking the lead by three, middle of the third quarter
Freshman Kylee Fox would lead the Bulldogs' against the Lopes with eight points, two 3-pointers, three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.
Freshman Taija Sta. Maria ranked No.3 in the Mountain West's minutes played at 233 minutes (33 min avg), through seven games. Sta. Maria is the highest ranked freshman in this category
With strong support from the bench this weekend, they recorded 16 points against Grand Canyon and 16 points against Eastern Illinois
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Head coach Chelsey Gregg enters her third year leading the Vikings
Vikings are sitting 3-2 going into Wednesday's game, the Vikings are coming off a win against Seattle U, 75-68
The Vikings were predicted to finish fifth in the Big Sky Conference
Portland State earned a team high 75 points against Seattle U
Last season the Vikings saw some postseason success, qualifying to the Big Sky Conference semifinals, but fell to Sacramento State, 42-60.
SERIES HISTORY
Fresno State and Portland State will meet for the third time on Wednesday night. The Bulldogs' and Vikings are tied in the all-time series, at one a piece. The two programs will meet for the second time at the Save Mart Center, since their first meeting in 1988. In the last meeting, the Vikings secured the win in Portland, 62-60.
ROSTER DIVE
The Vikings will see the addition of four new players this season, Alma Rashelbach (Hof Hasharon), Lana Wenger (Texas Tech), Chimera Lloanya (Trinity Valley CC) and Joy Haltom (Juanita HS).
Esmeralda Morales, Big Sky preseason MVP, has been a huge play maker for the Vikings. Through five games Morales has a combined 107 points (21.4 avg) and saw a game high of 27 points against Seattle U. Shooting 36% from the three (17-of-47), twice Morales has made five three-pointers in a single-game (vs. Warner Pacific, vs. Seattle U.)
Mia 'Uhila, another top scorer for the Vikings this season with 45 points (9.0 avg.)
Morales, 'Uhila and Wenger have been the Vikings' core starters this season, each with five starts
WHAT'S TO COME THIS WEEK
Fresno State will be cozy at the Save Mart Center this week, as the 'Dogs host Portland State on Wednesday night at 6 p.m. PT, then UC San Diego Saturday night at 7 p.m. PT.
Fresno State will have two more home games for the non-conference portion of the season, the next home game is slated for the following week to host Cal State Fullerton on Dec.6.