ALBUQUERQUE, N.M,-- In another hard fought battle on the court Fresno State falls to the Lobos at the Pit, 84-77.
Mia Jacobs earned her fifth game scoring 20+ points at 24 and was just one point shy of scoring 25+ points in back-to-back games. After tonight's matchup Jacobs sits at 566 career points (48 games) and 286 points as a Bulldog (18 games).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State was held to their lowest scoring period of 13 points to start the night against the Lobos. New Mexico opened first on 7-0 run, before Jacobs responded with a shot from downtown. Jacobs' three-pointer would hold through till the last two minutes, until Tamia Stricklin broke a four minute scoring drought. Fresno State made three trips to the basket in the last minute putting up six points by Stricklin, Taija Sta. Maria and Jacobs' final shot at the buzzer.
A second quarter spark proved true for the 'Dogs as they outscored the Lobos 23-18. Both Sta. Maria and Jacobs earned double-figures before the first 20 minutes wrapped. Sta. Maria saw her's off a three-pointer that opened a 6-0 run for the Bulldogs. Fresno State picked up the pace in the final few minutes before the half to make it a tie game from deep by Jacobs, 33-33. Kylee Fox gets her hands on the ball for the final shot of the first half to sink in the Bulldogs' fourth 3-pointer of the period, taking it a one point game, 37-36.
In the first half 'Dogs shot 45% from the field, 31% from the three and 75% from the foul line.
First Bulldog lead of the night came right out the gate from a layup by Keely Brown. Fresno State led by as much as four points to start. Both teams played with the lead for a few minutes before a set of back-to-back threes by Fox, a quick follow through by Dethman gave the 'Dogs their largest lead of the night at four points. Good for another three Deajanae Harvey sinks it in to stay within four of the Lobos.
Bulldogs bring back the fight, facing and breaking a Lobos 14 point lead to less than 10 mid-way through the fourth. With a set of three's to go around by Fox and Jacobs working to even out the game. Even with a minute to play, Fresno State's 5-0 run from the field came up short. New Mexico's ten point lead provided the Lobos with enough cushion to go 2-2 from the line to close out the game, 84-77.
NOTES
Fresno State drops down to 3-4 in conference play and 1-6 on the road
This is the third set of back-to-back losses for the Bulldogs this season
Mia Jacobs earns her fifth game scoring 20+ points and was one point shy of scoring 25 points or more in back-to-back games (25, at Nevada) (24, at New Mexico)
Bulldogs are now 1-4 when their opponent shoots 50% or better from the field (51% New Mexico)
Team Highs: Points (Mia Jacobs, 25) Rebounds (Mia Jacobs, 8) Assists (Taija Sta. Maria & Mia Jacobs, 4) Three-pointers (Kylee Fox & Mia Jacobs, 4)
Fresno State is now 8-1 when three players are scoring double-digits
Two Bulldogs earn season high points; Tamia Stricklin and Malaya LeSueur (6 points)
Opponents saw the charity line 18% more than and took over 16 more shots
Fresno State shot more from the three (11-to-7), out-rebounded (35-to-31)
Bulldogs saw more second chance shots (20-to-7) and more points from the bench (23-to-4)
Three Bulldogs recorded double-digits, Mia Jacobs (24), Kylee Fox (16) and Taija Sta. Maria (10)
UP NEXT: Fresno State returns to the Save Mart Center on Saturday to face Wyoming. Tip off is scheduled for 1 p.m. The game is part of a doubleheader with the Bulldog men facing Air Force at 4 p.m. Both games will stream on the Mountain West Network.