FRESNO, Calif.- Fresno State women's basketball team blazed past UC Merced, 100-47.
Tonight's game marks head coach Jamie White's second triple-digit win in her career at Fresno State since Dec.12, 2017 (111 vs. La Verne)
Freshman Taija Sta. Maria led the Bulldogs in scoring for the second time this season with 25 points against UC Merced. Junior Bineta Diatta earns her first double-double as a Bulldog with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State started the game rolling, scoring nine points within the first two minutes of play. Freshman Kylee Fox capped off the nine point scoring run for the 'Dogs, making the first of 11 three-pointers of the night.
On average Fresno State managed a nine point scoring run each period. The 'Dogs biggest lead came in the second period with 27 points (:57). Fox continued to make headway with six points, two steals, two offensive rebounds and a three pointer. Bulldogs' were shooting 57.9% from the field to close out the first half.
Bulldog's defense made quick work of the Bobcat's offense forcing nine turnovers in the third period and scoring 12 points off those turnovers. Junior Keely Brown shot back-to-back three pointers, the first one coming off a fast break from a steal.
With a 38 point lead to start the fourth period, the 'Dogs continued their upward trajectory towards triple-digit points. Fresno State continued on with the lead for the final period of play. Holding UC Merced to only seven points, four of which came from the Bobcats bench. Diatta's final shot of the game secured Fresno State a triple-digit win, with 1:39 left in playing time.
NOTES:
This is now the largest margin of victory for Fresno State in the series versus UC Merced.
Fresno State held a 32-6 advantage in points off turnovers and had a 44-20 lead in points from the paint
Kylee Fox makes her first start of her career, in her second game as a Bulldog
The starting freshman continue to make a strong impression with a combined 37 points tonight
True freshman Taija Sta. Maria marks her first 20+ point game as a Bulldog
Four Bulldogs put up double-digit points, Taija Sta. Maria (25), Keely Brown (16), Bineta Diatta (14) and Kylee Fox (12)
Bulldogs finished on a 49.4% (39-79) shooting from the field, 47.8% (11-23) from three and 78.6% (11-14) from the free throw line
'Dogs had their highest scoring period in the second with 27 points
UP NEXT: Fresno State is staying home and will be back at the Save Mart Center for another double header on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Women will tip-off against Pepperdine at 5 p.m. PT and the men will tip off against Morgan State at 7:30 p.m. PT