RENO, Nev. – For the third time in the last four games, a double-digit deficit heading into the fourth quarter proved to be too much for Fresno State, falling 75-69 to Nevada on Saturday at Lawlor Events Center. Trailing by 16 early in the fourth the Bulldogs whittled the deficit down to as little as five but time was not on their side.
Returning to Lawlor for the first time since transferring during the spring, Amaya West dropped 20 points on her former team, the second-highest total of her career. The fifth-year senior was the only Bulldog in double-figures while the Wolf Pack got a combined 46 from Megan Ormiston (26) and Audrey Roden (20).
How It Happened
Both teams came out shooting north of 40 percent but a 6-0 run from Nevada gave the Pack a little breathing room as they held an 18-13 edge after one. That advantage was extended to eight, the largest lead of the first half when Gabby Rones knocked down her second consecutive 3-pointer with 4:39 remaining in the half to make it 28-20.
A quick timeout from Fresno State halted the 6-1 run. Out of the break, Amaya West kick-started a 7-0 answer from the 'Dogs. Megan Ormiston ended the drought for Nevada with a 3 from the top of the key. Fresno State trailed 31-29 at the half.
The Bulldogs grabbed its first lead of the day at 34-33 a minute into the second half when Amiee Book knocked down her first triple of the game. A bucket inside, a steal and 3-pointer quickly put Nevada back up 38-34. Starting 7-of-7 from the field in the third, the Wolf Pack's lead grew to 10 less than six minutes into the quarter. The Bulldogs deficit was eight twice in the late minutes but a 7-1 stretch to close the period left the 'Dogs trailing 57-43 following a quarter in which Nevada shot 78.6 percent from the field.
Lexie Givens gave the Pack their largest lead of the game at 16 to open the fourth. The Bulldogs did not go quietly though. A two-minute stretch ahead of the media timeout saw the deficit cut in half after Maria Doreste sank a 3 from the left corner. Ormiston answered with her second of the day at the other end a minute later. The 'Dogs continued to attack, getting to the line six times in the final four minutes but shooting 11-of-12 could only get them as close as five down the stretch.
Notes
Fresno State dropped its third straight game to Nevada. It was the Bulldogs' third loss in Reno in their last four trips.
The 'Dogs have been outscored by 12 in the third quarter in three of the last four games.
Fresno State shot its fourth-highest field goal percentage of the season at 47.6 percent but allowed Nevada to shoot 48.4 percent.
The Bulldogs matched their season high in blocks with six. The first came at Air Force on Jan. 14.
Fresno State made (27) and attempted (32) its second-most free throws in a game this season.
Amaya West recorded the second 20-point game of her career with 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting and 8-of-9 from the free throw line.
It was the eighth time West has led the Bulldogs in scoring this year.
Amiee Book matched her career high with three blocks.
Next Up
Fresno State closes out its three-game road swing next week, traveling to San Diego State to face the Aztecs on Thursday at 6 p.m. PT.