FRESNO, Calif. – For the first time this season, Fresno State dropped a game when holding a halftime lead, seeing a five-point lead turn into a 68-58 defeat to Utah State on Monday evening at the Save Mart Center. While the Bulldogs shot 32.2 percent in the second half, slightly below its mark for the game, the Aggies connected at a 52.0 percent clip during final 20 minutes during the 15-point turnaround.
The Bulldogs were led by Amaya West's 18 points and Amiee Book's 13, but Utah State had four in double figures led by Maria Carvalho's 16 points.
How It Happened
After giving up a bucket in the opening minute Fresno State scored the next seven. The Aggies connected on back-to-back shots midway through the period, but it would be their last of the quarter as the 'Dogs held them without a field for the last 4:47. A 3-pointer from Yanina Todorova late gave them their largest lead thus far at 14-7. The Aggies answered with a 6-0 run of over the next two-and-a-half minutes cut the game to one.
A layup from Sydney Dethman was followed by a steal from Keely Brown that resulted in a five-point trip after the redshirt sophomore was fouled from behind on a breakaway. Amaya West hit both technical free throws and converted an and-1 to put the 'Dogs up 21-13 with 7:07 remaining in the half. Fresno State extended its advantage to 11 three-and-a-half minutes later but Utah State scored the last six of the half to chip into the Bulldogs lead.
Following a 3 from Keely Brown at the 7:26 mark in the third that put the 'Dogs up 34-28, Fresno State's offense stalled. During the next seven-plus minutes, the 'Dogs missed nine shots and turned the ball over five times and resulted in a 15-0 run by the Aggies to grab a 43-34 lead. The fifth turnover, a 10-second violation resulted in a pair of offensive rebounds for USU but a block by Imani Lacy outlet from Todorova to West in transition put the Bulldogs down seven going into the fourth.
Like the last two games that saw the Bulldogs trail heading into the fourth, they found their offense and hit a run. In less than three minutes, a 10-point deficit was down to two following an and-1 from Franka Wittenberg and a triple from Amaya West. Maria Carvalho answered at the other end with one of her own. After a pair of free throws from Imani Lacy brought the deficit back to three, Utah State called a timeout with 5:33 on the clock. The Aggies knocked down three straight 3's out of the break, building up a 59-49 advantage with 2:32 to play. The Bulldogs cut it four with 42 seconds left but Utah State was 8-of-8 from the free throw line in the final 36 seconds.
Notes
Fresno State lost its first game this season when leading at the half (led 29-24).
The Bulldogs were held below 35 percent from the field for the seventh time this year (1-6).
Fresno State dropped its third straight game to Utah State.
Amaya West reached double figures for the 13th time, scoring 18 points.
Amiee Book scored 13 points, her third double figure game in the last four. It was her highest point total since Dec. 8.
Imani Lacy posted season highs of nine rebounds and three blocks.
Next Up
Fresno State will return to the road on Thursday, heading to Boise State for a 5:30 p.m. PT tipoff. It will be the first of three away from Fresno as the Bulldogs close out January with a three-game road stretch.