FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State women's basketball team fell short of Pepperdine at the Save Mart Center on Saturday night, 64-45. Emilia Long led the Bulldogs in her fourth game this season with a new career high 23 points and nine made field goals. The guard scored ten points shooting 36 percent in the final period.
How it happened
Pepperdine jumped out to a 7–2 lead, but back-to-back scores from Avery Watkins pulled Fresno State within one. Waves closed the quarter on a 10–0 run, while the Bulldogs went scoreless over the final five minutes. Long and Watkins each totaled four to start the 'Dogs off. Pepperdine neared a double digit lead after ten, 19-10.
Jaisa Gamble opened the second quarter with a jumper. Defensively, the Bulldogs slowed Pepperdine's offense, holding the Waves to just nine points. Despite forcing 10 turnovers, Fresno State struggled to convert them into points and hit another scoring drought. Long provided a spark, finishing the half with a team-high seven points. Both teams saw an even scoring of nine points in the second, but Bulldogs trailed going into the half, 28-19.
Fresno State and Pepperdine exchanged baskets to start the third quarter, and Watkins brought the 'Dogs within seven with a pair of free throws. The Waves' offense hit another scoring run in the final two minutes. Long responded with a four-point spurt to stop the run, but Pepperdine drained down a three to end the quarter with a 45–29 lead.
Long picked up the scoring pace dropping ten points in the period (4-11) to hit a new career-high 23 points and nine field goals. The scoring started right away as Long grabbed a layup on a in-bound steal, It was an even 6-6 run for both teams through the opening minute of play. Long managed a solo 5-0 run before the Waves hit a string of three's going into the final minute. A 4-2 run that favored the Bulldogs closed the game with Danae Powell hitting a second chance jumper and Morelia Chavez on a layup.
Notable
Fresno State falls to 5-4 on the season
Emilia Long led the field in scoring with 23 points, marking a new career high
Long marks her third 20+ point game of the season and first set of back-to-back games
Fresno State forced Pepperdine to their third most turnovers this season, 25
Fresno State saw their lowest number of turnovers this season, 11
Avery Watkins hit a career high six rebounds
Bulldogs had more points off fast breaks, 11-4
Up next: Fresno State (5-4) will visit Saint Mary's (6-4) at McKeon Pavilion on Tuesday, Dec. 10 with tip-off set for 6:30 p.m. PT streaming live on ESPN+.