Game 29: Fresno State (8-19, 1-13 MW) vs. Nevada (9-16, 6-8 MW)
Feb. 18, 2023 • 4:30 p.m. PT • Fresno, Calif. • Save Mart Center
TV/ONLINE: CW59 / Mountain West Network (PxP: Ralph Wood / Analyst: Jack Fertig & Amy Finch)
RADIO: Bulldog Sports Network (PxP: Matt Norville)
LIVE: BulldogsLive.com
LAST MEETING: Nevada 75-69 in Reno, Nev. on Jan. 21, 2023
SERIES HISTORY: Fresno State leads 50-16
BULLDOG BONES
Fresno State has their final split week of the season, heading to Utah State on Thursday before returning home to host Nevada on Saturday.
Following this week, the Bulldogs will have their final bye of the season, taking Feb. 23 off before traveling to San Jose and hosting New Mexico on Senior Night Feb. 28.
The 'Dogs own the third-best defense in the Mountain West, allowing 59.9 points per game.
• Of the Bulldogs' 14 conference games, 10 have been decided by 10 points or less, the most of any team in the league.
Amaya West is 17 points away from 1,000 points from her career. The fifth-year senior is one of four players in the Mountain West to rank in the Top 15 in scoring (5th), rebounding (13th) and steals (15th).
Keely Brown averaged 13.5 points per game last week after posting her highest scoring games of the season.
Nine of the Bulldogs' 13 losses in Mountain West play have been by seven points or less with one or two possessions late in games determining the outcome.
Of the Bulldogs' 14 conference games, 10 have been decided by 10 points or less, the most of any team in the league.
CLOSING IN ON 1K POINTS
With 346 points thus far this season, Amaya West is closing in on 1,000 for her career. More than 124 than her last season at Nevada, the fifth-year senior's increased scoring in her final collegiate season has herself just 17 points from hitting the milestone.
In all five seasons of her career, West has increased her point production (93, 136, 186, 222, 346).
West will be the 30th player in Fresno State history to score their 1,000th career point as a member of the Bulldogs.
She will be the ninth player to score their 1,000th career point as a Bulldog under Jaime White.
FEELING LIKE NEW
Having not played a game for more than 19 months (14 months due to knee injury), Keely Brown returned to the court on Dec. 1 at Portland State. Averaging more than 20 minutes per game since, the redshirt sophomore's improvements were on full display at UNLV on Feb. 9. Scoring a career-high 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, 3-of-5 from 3, Brown nearly willed the 'Dogs to an upset of the Lady Rebels.
Brown's previous high was 12 points against Saint Mary's on Dec. 11, 2020.
SCOUTING UTAH STATE
Utah State enters Thursday's game with the 'Dogs with a 4-20 record and a 1-12 mark in the Mountain West.
The Aggies are tied for 10th in the MW with San Jose State.
USU earned its lone MW win at Fresno State defeating the 'Dogs, 68-58 on Jan. 16.
The Aggies also have wins over College of Idaho, Weber State & Utah Valley.
Utah State checks in second in the MW in three point attempts per game (22.5) and ranks third in free throws attempts per game (18.33), free throws made per game (13.58) & three pointers per game (6.7)
Senior guard Maria Carvalho leads the team averaging 10.8 points per game and tops the team with 28 three pointers.
SCOUTING NEVADA
Nevada enters the week with a 9-16 overall record and a 6-8 mark in the MW.
The Wolf Pack are 2-6 on the road with wins over San Jose State and Utah State.
Nevada defeated the Bulldogs, 75-69 earlier this season in Reno.
The Wolf Pack lead the MW in free throw attempts per game (19.32) and are second in offensive rebounds per game (12.1).
Three Wolf Pack players average double figures with Audrey Roden leading the way at 10.8 points per game. Alyssa Jimenez and Lexie Givens also average double figures sitting at 10.5 & 10.3 points per game, respectively.