Game 3: Fresno State (1-1) vs. UC Riverside (0-2)
Nov. 15, 2022 • 6 p.m. PT • Fresno, Calif. • Save Mart Center
TV/ONLINE: Mountain West Network (PxP: Matt Norville/Sideline: Taylor Martinez)
RADIO: Bulldog Sports Network (PxP: Matt Norville/Sideline: Taylor Martinez)
LIVE: BulldogsLive.com
LAST MEETING: UC Riverside 68, Fresno State 56 (Nov. 19, 2017 • Fresno, Calif.)
SERIES HISTORY: Fresno State leads 11-3
TICKETS: Bulldog Ticket Office / GoBulldogs.com
THE BREAKDOWN
Fresno State is in the midst of a five-game homestand to open the 2022-23 season, with three more games to play at the Save Mart Center through Nov. 22.
Fresno State has held opponents through 52.5 points per game, second-best in the Mountain West, through two games and 37.5 percent shooting from the field.
Of the 15 players on Fresno State's roster, five have opted to take their "Covid Year" and are in Year No. 5 of their careers. All five began their careers outside of Fresno.
While the Bulldogs have veteran experience with their five fifth-year seniors, nine of their other 10 players are underclassmen. Four of those underclassmen are true freshmen, one is a redshirt freshman, three are true sophomores.
Only one D-I women's team (San Francisco - 10) has more countries represented on its roster than Fresno State's nine.
With 969 points in her career, Amiee Book is inching closer to hitting the 1,000-point mark.
With the Bulldogs' top three scorers gone from last season, Yanina Todorova has taken on the scoring load early for the 'Dogs, averaging 18.5 points per game.
LOCKING UP
After allowing the third-most (70.6 - 2020-21) and fifth-most (69.1 - 2021-22) points per game in program history in the last two seasons, an expected change this season is an emphasis on defense. Fresno State has held opponents through 52.5 points per game through two games and 37.5 percent shooting from the field.
The 49 points allowed to Fresno Pacific were the lowest for a Bulldog opponent in a season opener since 2004 (Pepperdine - 38).
WORLDWIDE REPRESENTATION
With a history of internationals, this year's squad will have the most on a single roster in program history with eight. While the eight internationals is tied for the seventh-most on a Division I women's basketball roster this season, the 'Dogs are about as diverse as it gets. All eight internationals are from a different country.
Only one D-I women's team (San Francisco - 10) has more countries represented on its roster than Fresno State's nine.
The Bulldogs have players from four different continents (Australia/Oceania, Europe, North America, South America).
TAKING ON THE CHALLENGE
With the Bulldogs' top three scorers gone from last season, Yanina Todorova has taken on the scoring load early for the 'Dogs, going 14-of-26 from the field through two games. The senior is averaging 18.5 points per game after only averaging 4.5 points per game in her first two seasons at Fresno State.
Todorova scored a career-high 26 points Nov. 11 versus CSU Bakersfield.
The Bulgarian has scored in double figures in back-to-back games for the first time since the end of the 2021-22 season against Missouri and Rice.
HEADING TOWARD 1,000
With 969 points in her career, Amiee Book is inching closer to hitting the 1,000-point mark. The senior will be the eighth player to score her 1,000th career point as a Bulldog under Jaime White, joining Alex Sheedy, Bego Faz Davalos, Candice White, Maddi Utti, Aly Gamez, Haley Cavinder and Hanna Cavinder.
Prior to Book's arrival, the New Zealand native scored 761 points in three seasons at Cal State Fullerton.
SCOUTING UC RIVERSIDE
UC Riverside is off to a 0-2 start to the season falling at home to Pacific and on the road at UCLA last week.
The Highlanders were picked seventh in the Big West preseason poll released on Oct. 20.
UCR posted a 14-11 mark in 2021-22 going 10-6 in Big West play to finish fourth in the league. The Highlanders fell to top seed and eventual Big West Tournament champion Hawai'i in the semifinals.
Freshman guard Jordyn Marshall leads the Highlanders averaging 9.0 points per game with senior guard Mele Finau topping the team with 4.5 boards per game.
Head coach Nicole Powell is in her third season at UCR with an overall record of 21-25.
SINGLE-GAME AND SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE
New this season, fans can purchase single-game tickets directly through the Bulldog Ticket Office and GoBulldogs.com.
Single-game tickets for regular season games start at $8 for adults and $6 for youth/senior in general admission sections. Tickets in reserved sections are $11.
Season tickets range from $50 for general admission for youth and $70 for adults up to $150 for courtside seats. Reserved sections are $85 per seat.
THE NUTRL ZONE IS COMING TO BULLDOG BASKETBALL!
The NUTRL Zone is making its Bulldog Basketball debut on Nov. 7 for Fresno State's doubleheader against Fresno Pacific at the Save Mart Center.
The NUTRL Zone is a new lounge, floor level club area behind the west baseline open to all fans attending Bulldog Basketball games this season.
The area will feature televisions, food and beverages available for purchase, including NUTRL product.
The new gameday experience will also have bar tables and couches, along with a view of the court and game from the baseline on the floor level.
There are also new baseline seating locations between the baseline and NUTRL Zone available for purchase.