Game 4: Fresno State (2-1) vs. Cal Poly (1-2)
Nov. 18, 2022 • 6 p.m. PT • Fresno, Calif. • Save Mart Center
TV/ONLINE: Mountain West Network (PxP: Matt Norville)
RADIO: Bulldog Sports Network (PxP: Matt Norville)
LIVE: BulldogsLive.com
LAST MEETING: Fresno State 79, Cal Poly 52 (Nov. 6, 2019 • San Luis Obispo, Calif.)
SERIES HISTORY: Fresno State leads 31-13
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 two more games to play at the Save Mart Center through Nov. 22.
Fresno State has held opponents to a Mountain West-low 48.3 points per game through three games.
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 978points 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 14.3 points per game.
Seven 'Dogs are averaging at least six 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 to a Mountain West-low 48.3 points per game through three games while teams to 36.4 percent shooting from the field.
The 'Dogs rank No. 31 in the NCAA in scoring defense.
The 49 points allowed to Fresno Pacific were the lowest for a Bulldog opponent in a season opener since 2004 (Pepperdine - 38).
For just the second time in the last decade, Fresno State held a Division I opponent to 40 points or less. The last time was on Jan. 11, 2017 against Air Force. (40 points).
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 16-of-33 from the field through threegames. The senior is averaging 14.3 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 scored in double figures in back-to-back games to open the season, the first time she has done that since the end of the 2021-22 season against Missouri and Rice.
HEADING TOWARD 1,000
With 978 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.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE
In Game No. 3 of her final season, Maria Giumaraes paced the Bulldogs with 10 points and a career-high 12 rebounds en route to her first career double-double in their 54-40 win over UC Riverside. She was a key figured in the 'Dogs dominating the paint, with a plus-14 edge on the glass, grabbing 20 offensive rebounds to give Fresno State an 18-3 advantage in second-chance points.
Seven of Guimaraes' 12 rebounds rebounds came on the offensive end.
SCOUTING CAL POLY
Cal Poly is 1-2 on the season with a 81-49 win over Simpson University while suffering losses to Pac-12 foes UCLA and No. 2 Stanford.
The Mustangs were picked 10th in the Big West preseason poll released on Oct. 20.
Cal Poly is coming off a 3-22 mark in 2021-22 and a 2-13 record in the Big West.
Senior forward Julia Nielacna is the Mustangs' leading scorer averaging 9.3 points per game while junior forward Natalia Ackerman tops the team with 6.0 rebounds per game.
Head coach Shanele Stires is in her first season at Cal Poly after spending the last six seasons at Cal State East Bay helping lead the Pioneers to 94 wins and a pair of CCAA Tournament titles (2017, 2022).
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.