BULLDOG BONES
Following a quick trip back to Central Valley for Monday's contest, Fresno State ventures back out on the road for its next three contests beginning with Boise State and Nevada this week.
This week's games will be the Bulldogs' fourth and fifth road games of conference play, and second and third within an eight-day span. They will play just three road games during the last month of the season.
Fresno State is 0-6 in true road games this year but only one of those contests was separated by more than six points. Three have been decided by three points or less while a fourth went to double overtime.
On Thursday, the 'Dogs are looking for their third straight win in Boise and fourth straight overall in the series. They'll be looking to snap a two-game losing streak to the Wolf Pack on Saturday.
Fresno State enters its road trip on a three-game skid, its third such streak of the season.
KEEPING 'EM CLOSE
If you like close games, odds are good that you'll see one with the Bulldogs. Eleven of Fresno State's 20 games have been nail-biters with the difference being six points or less. Unfortunately, the 'Dogs are 3-9 in such games. In all three wins, the Bulldogs have won by four or five points.
Fresno State has missed a go-ahead attempt at the buzzer three times (Cal Poly, Sacramento State, Wyoming) and missed a third that would have tied a game (CSU Bakersfield).
The Bulldogs held off late rallies from Delaware, Northern Arizona and Utah Valley, not allowing a fourth-quarter lead change.
RIGHT THERE
Through seven games in Mountain West play, Fresno State has been outscored by 4.4 points per game. Four of the Bulldogs' six losses have been by six points or less with one or two possessions late in games determining the outcome.
Of the Bulldogs seven conference games, five have been decided by 10 points or less, the most of any team in the league.
TWO-WAY PLAYER
Fresno State coaches knew that Amaya West would bring defense when they brought her in after four years at Nevada. What the fifth-year senior has also brought to Fresno is an offensive game that wasn't used much in Reno. In her last season in the Mountain West, the Mesa, Ariz. native has shown off her full array, averaging 15.3 points and 2.3 steals per through the first five games.
West is the only player in the league to rank in the Top 5 in both scoring (4th) and steals (5th).
SCOUTING BOISE STATE
Boise State heads into Thursday's game against the 'Dogs with a 7-11 overall record and a 2-3 mark in the Mountain West.
The Broncos, who have dropped their last three contests, are coming off a 73-61 loss at UNLV on Monday and have earned MW wins over San Jose State and Utah State.
Boise State was picked to finish seventh in the MW preseason poll and finished 2021-22 with an 8-21 overall record and a 4-13 finish in the MW to finish 10th.
The Broncos lead the MW and rank 18th nationally in blocks per game (5.2) & rebounds per game (42.0).
Junior forward Abby Muse ranks second in the MW & eighth nationally in blocks (43) and checks in third in the conference in rebounds per game (8.4)
SCOUTING NEVADA
Nevada has opened the season with a 6-11 record and a 3-3 start to MW play.
The Wolf Pack will head to Colorado State on Thursday before hosting the Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon.
Nevada, who is 5-5 at home this season, has earned MW wins over San Jose State, Air Force and Utah State.
Nevada was selected to finish sixth in the MW preseason poll and went 20-13 in 2021-22 finishing in a tie for third in the league with Wyoming.
The Wolf Pack get to the free throw line often leading the MW with 20.5 attempts per game and are second in free throws made per game (14.5).
Redshirt junior Alyssa Jimenez ranks second in the league in steals per game (2.18) and is sixth in steals (37) & rebounds per game (6.9).
Game 21: Fresno State (8-12, 1-6 MW) at Boise State (7-11, 2-3 MW)
Jan. 19, 2022 • 5:30 p.m. PT • Boise, Idaho • ExtraMile Arena
TV/ONLINE: Mountain West Network
RADIO: Bulldog Sports Network (PxP: Matt Norville)
LIVE: BulldogsLive.com
LAST MEETING: Fresno State 62-56 in Boise, Idaho on Feb. 2, 2022
SERIES HISTORY: Bulldogs lead 28-18
Game 22: Fresno State (8-12, 1-6 MW) vs. Nevada (6-11, 3-3 MW)
Jan. 21, 2022 • 1 p.m. PT • Reno, Nev. • Lawlor Events Center
TV/ONLINE: Mountain West Network
RADIO: Bulldog Sports Network (PxP: Matt Norville)
LIVE: SidearmStats
LAST MEETING: Nevada 72-68 in Fresno, Calif. on Feb. 14, 2022
SERIES HISTORY: Bulldogs lead 50-15