FRESNO, Calif. – Three chances at a game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds, but none would drop for Fresno State as the Bulldogs fell 56-53 to CSU Bakersfield on Friday night at the Save Mart Center.
Fresno State's offense ran through Yanina Todorova all night as she did everything she could to will the Bulldogs to a victory. The senior dropped a career-high 26 points on 10-of-19 from the field to go with a game-high six rebounds and two steals.
How It happened
In another struggle offensively for Fresno State, the defense showed up in the opening half for the Bulldogs forcing 11 turnovers and holding the Roadrunners to 17 points. A six-point lead at the break wasn't enough though as Bakersfield got into a rhythm in the third and outscored the 'Dogs 28-11 in the third.
Trailing by 11 heading into the third, the 'Dogs turned up the energy on the defensive end. A 3-poitner from Thea Mikkelsen opened the fourth. Forcing a bad pass, Amaya West picked up the loose ball and turned it into a bucket on the break. A stop and another layup for Todorova and the Roadrunners were forced to burn a timeout 1:06 into the quarter.
Out of the stoppage, another forced mistake led to two more for Todorova as the 'Dogs climbed back into the game at 45-43. The senior guard tied up the game a minute later with a pair at the line, capping an 11-0 run in less than two-and-a-half minutes. That was as close to the lead as the 'Dogs would get. Trailing by as much as five with less than 90 seconds to play, the 'Dogs pulled to within three and got a stop. Not once, but twice, the 'Dogs came up with offensive rebounds off missed 3-point attempts in the final 10 seconds but three good looks didn't fall for the 'Dogs. Fresno State was just 1-of-11 from the field during the final six minutes.
Team Notes
The Bulldogs forced at least 19 turnovers for the season straight game.
Fresno State had at least nine steals in back-to-back games to start the year.
The 'Dogs had an 18-9 advantage on the offensive glass.
Player Notes
Yanina Todorova scored a career-high 26 points to lead all scorers.
Sydney Dethman scored eight points for the second straight game.
Up Next
Fresno State continues its five-game homestand on Tuesday, hosting UC Riverside. Tipoff at the Save Mart Center is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT.