LAS VEGAS- Fresno State women's basketball team advances to the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Tournament, for the first time since 2022, after a double-digit win over the Air Force Falcons in the opening game of the tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center, 62-44.
Mia Jacobs led the Bulldogs for the 16th time this season in scoring, logging her 21st double-digit game and sixth 20 point game. Jacobs finishes the first day with 25 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State earned their first five points from the charity line behind the hands of Mia Jacobs and Kylee Fox. Tamia Stricklin landed the Bulldogs the first field goal of the game with a jump shot in the paint. With the addition of two more trips to the charity line, Bulldogs saw another four points on the board.
Jacobs unloaded on a solo 9-0 run from the field to start the second quarter scoring her 21st double-figure game this season. Deajanae Harvey and Keely Brown extended the 'Dogs' largest scoring run (11-0) with shots from inside the paint to give the Bulldogs a 19 point lead.
Leading into the half by double-digits, Fresno State shot 41% from the field, 11% from the three and 90% from the charity line. Jacobs led the field in scoring with 15 points and in rebounds with five. 'Dogs recorded a period high of 20 points, ten arriving from the hands of the starting forward, Jacobs.
Second half was all 'Dogs as Fresno State did not allow their lead to drop below ten for the remainder of the game and was able to outscore the Falcons, 12-5. Taija Sta. Maria collects her first points of the tournament on a layup in the paint.
Jacobs earned her sixth game scoring 20 or more points off a layup in the paint from a turnover. Carrying a steady lead of 18 points well into the final two minutes, Fresno State secured their win over the Falcons to advance onto the quarterfinal round. Sydney Dethman sinks in the 'Dogs second shot from the three of the night with a minute to-go. Bineta Diatta is the final Bulldog to make a basket at the buzzer to seal the win.
NOTES
For the first time since 2022 Fresno State has advanced to the quarterfinals
Bulldogs earn a clean sweep on the season series with the Falcons, 3-0
Kylee Fox records a new career high of 5 steals
For the sixth time against a conference opponent this season, Fresno State has won by double-digits
An 18 point scoring margin is third largest winning margin for the 'Dogs against a conference opponent
Team Highs; Points (Mia Jacobs, 25) Rebounds (Mia Jacobs, 8) Steals (Kylee Fox, 5) Assists (Mia Jacobs, 4)
For the 8th time this season Bulldogs have scored more than ten points in every period
Bulldogs saw their lowest made shots from the three against a conference opponent this season going 2-of-14 (14.3%)
UP NEXT: Fresno State will face No. 1 UNLV at 12 p.m. PT in the quarterfinal matchup at the Thomas and Mack Center streaming live on the Mountain West Network.