FRESNO, Calif. – Close throughout, Fresno State dropped its second straight game this week by single digits to a Top 2 team in the conference, falling 61-54 on Saturday at the Save Mart Center.
Sydney Dethman had one of the best games of her career, scoring 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Amiee Book added 13. McKenna Hofschild led the Rams with 17 points, 13 of which came in the fourth quarter for the senior point guard.
How It Happened
Even through the opening six minutes at 10-10 with both sides shooting 4-of-8, Fresno State maintained a lead or was tied for much of the first quarter. With the Bulldogs missing their last four shots of the period, the Rams closed with a 6-0 stretch to claim a 16-12 advantage after one.
Colorado State did not relinquish the lead the remainder of the day, despite multiple pushes from the 'Dogs. Two 3-pointers in the second and another in the third got Fresno State within three but the Rams answered each time. Following back-to-back layups to open the fourth, the 'Dogs again trailed by one, 39-38. After a pair of free throws extended the Bulldogs' deficit to three, the 'Dogs missed a 3-point attempt on their next three possessions leading to a 6-0 run by the Rams and a timeout for Fresno State.
The Bulldogs could only get as close as five during the final five-plus minutes of the game.
Notes
Fresno State dropped its 13th game this season by 7 points or less. Nine of those have come in Mountain West play.
The Bulldogs outrebounded their second straight opponent (35-29).
Fresno State dished out double digit assists for the fourth straight game (10). It was their third consecutive game with at least a 1.0 assist-turnover ratio.
Sydney Dethmen recorded her third career game in double figures with 15 points on an efficient 6-of-8 from the field.
Amiee Book registered 14 points, her 10th game this year in double figures, and second in the last three games.
Amaya West grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds.
Next Up
Fresno State returns to the road next week, heading to Logan, Utah to face Utah State on Thursday. Tipoff is slated for 5 p.m. PT.