FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State women's basketball team defeated Utah State 90-64 at the Save Mart Center on Saturday afternoon. Fresno State improves to 10-8 on the season and 3-2 in Mountain West play.
The Bulldogs saw four players shoot in double figures with Mia Jacobs leading the way scoring 23 points. Kylee Fox added 14, Deajanae Harvey scored 11 and Keely Brown added 10. Jacobs also led the team in the rebounding efforts, coming just shy of a double-double with nine boards.
How it happened
Utah State saw their first and only lead of the game early on, hitting a three-pointer to take a 3-2 lead in the opening 90 seconds. From there, it was all Bulldogs. Fox responded with a three of her own to regain the lead. Fresno State went on a 11-0 run over the next three minutes to extend its lead to 16-5 over the Aggies.
Fresno State closed the first quarter with a 25-14 lead behind an early eight points by Jacobs.
Taija Sta. Maria jumpstarted things in the second, scoring on the opening possession for her first points of the afternoon. The Bulldogs saw their longest scoring drought of the day, not scoring for over four minutes of clock time following a three-point basket by Fox. Utah State had some momentum, but not enough to erase the deficit. The 'Dogs got back into their groove, closing out the half with a 40-29 lead.
Jacobs and Fox connected on the second-chance play to open scoring with another three-point basket in the third quarter. Fresno State did not allow a field goal to Utah State until the 6:27 mark in the quarter, making way for the Bulldogs to extend the lead to 55-32 at that point in the game. The Aggies scored off a Bulldog turnover but Brown worked her way for a fast break layup in response. The teams traded baskets before Tamia Stricklin drew a foul and added points from the line. Harvey would score Fresno State's second-straight basket off a turnover to extend the lead to 70-37 with 1:30 left in the third quarter. Harvey drained a three to close out the third with a Fresno State lead of 73-43.
The Bulldogs saw their largest lead of the game in the third quarter as Jacobs hit two free throws to put Fresno State up by 36 (82-46). Maria Konstantinidou got the 'Dogs to the 90-point mark with a steal and a fast break layup with 2:19 left on the clock.
Notable
Fresno State scored 90 or more points for the third time this season.
It was the first time the Bulldogs scored 90+ points in a Mountain West game since putting up 93 at Utah State on Feb. 6, 2021 (overtime games not included).
With the win, Fresno State has already tied its win total and conference win total from a season ago.
Fresno State improves to 8-3 at home on the year.
Fresno State scored 29 points off turnovers, its most in a game since Nov. 25, 2023 against Eastern Illinois.
Fresno State had a season-high 30 fast break points. Its previous high was 16 in the season opener.
Mia Jacobs led the team in scoring for the seventh time this season.
Jacobs led the team in rebounding for the ninth time this season.
Jacobs scored 20+ points for the third time this season.
Up Next: Fresno State continues Mountain West play at Nevada on January 20. The Bulldogs return home next on January 27th against Wyoming for a 1 p.m. tipoff.