FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Leading for much of the second half in a tight contest at Moby Arena, Fresno State saw its slim lead slip away in the final two minutes, falling in its Mountain West opener to Colorado State, 64-58.
Freshman Franka Wittenberg led the Bulldogs with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting in 20 minutes off the bench. Amaya West joined her in double figures with 12.
McKenna Hofschild led all scorers with 29 points for the Rams. The senior's backcourt mate Destiny Thurman added 15.
How It Happened
Fresno State opened the night with a 3-pointer from Keely Brown, who was making her first start of the season. Eight straight missed attempts though saw Colorado State jump out to a 12-5 lead seven minutes in. The drought ended with a 3 off the right wing from Franka Wittenberg but the Rams scored the last four of the period to lead 16-8 after one.
The Bulldogs cut the deficit to three just over 90 seconds into the second following a triple from the top of the key from Maria Doreste. CSU countered with six unanswered to take its largest lead of the half at 22-13. Brown ended the run with her second 3 of the game. Trailing by eight with less than three minutes to go in the half, Wittenberg got a clear lane on the right side of the paint and got to the bucket. On the next possession, the freshman knocked down a 3 from the left wing. Inside of a minute remaining, Wittenberg pulled down an offensive board and got the put back to bring the 'Dogs to with 26-25 at the half.
Momentum continued to stay with the 'Dogs, extending the advantage to four less than two minutes into the second half. Off a missed free throw, Imani Lacy kept the ball alive. A switch and tap out to Amiee Book led to a triple to make it 32-28. The Rams tied it up at 35-35 with a 3 from Cailyn Crocker with 4:37 on the clock. Back down the court, with the shot clock winding down, Wittenberg crossed over, and drilled a step-back 3 over Crocker. McKenna Hofschild scored the next four to return the lead to the Rams but three in the final minute at the end of the third for Fresno State gave the 'Dogs a 41-39 lead with 10 minutes remaining.
The Bulldogs grabbed their largest lead of the game a minute into the fourth after back-to-back buckets made it 45-39. The Rams though came back and tied the game on four occasions in the quarter. After Sydney Dethman hit a short turnaround jumper to beat the shot clock to put the 'Dogs up 56-54 with 2:09 remaining, Hofschild connected on her third three in the period. CSU finished the game on a 10-2 run during the final 1:41.
Notes
Fresno State lost its first game at Moby Arena since Jan. 18, 2017.
The Bulldogs outrebounded their seventh opponent of the season (39-33).
Fresno State made eight 3-pointers in the game, the sixth time in the last eight games that the 'Dogs have made at least six.
The Bulldogs outshot its eighth opponent of the season (38.9%-35.0%).
The 'Dogs held their seventh opponent more than 10 points below their season scoring average as the Rams entered averaging 79.5 points per game.
Franka Wittenberg recorded her third double-digit scoring game of the season, pouring in a team-high 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
Amaya West scored 10 of her 12 points in the second half.
West recorded season highs of nine rebounds and four assists.
Keely Brown scored a season-high eight points in her first start of the season.
Next Up
Fresno State will be in Laramie, Wyo., on New Year's Eve. Tipoff against Wyoming at Arena-Auditorium is slated for 5 p.m. PT.