FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State women's basketball faltered to the Santa Clara Broncos in a tight contest that led up to the final minutes at the Save Mart Center on Saturday afternoon. Broncos' pulled through for a 11-0 run in the final minutes to defeat the Bulldogs, 67-61.
Mia Jacobs received her second double-double of the season. Against the Broncos, Jacobs was good for 25 points & ten rebounds and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line. Point guard Saga Ukkonen tags on with 10 points, an assist and two 3-pointers.
How it happened
Maria Konstantindou got the scoring done first for the Bulldogs with a jumper in the paint. Broncos' Rapp hit big with a three-pointer for their first lead of the afternoon. Santa Clara built a minor five point lead until a three from Mia Jacobs cut it. A second chance layup and a jumper by Rayna Williams tied it up twice for the 'Dogs in the final minute. Pollerd's first three of the night was good in the final second of the first.
A brief 6-0 run came off back-to-back three-pointers from the hands of Jacobs and Ukkonen to open scoring for the Bulldogs in the second. 'Dogs saw a strong defensive period holding the Broncos to eight points, half of which came from the charity line.
Santa Clara flipped a switch coming out of the first. Broncos' dropped 23 points with Pollerd owing 17 of those points. Despite a tough offensive showing from the Broncos, Fresno State held the lead for all but a minute and change. An and-one by Jacobs gave the 'Dogs their biggest lead of the night, 39-32.
Konstantinidou opened the seven point run with a fast break layup off a steal and Jacobs collected five points with a trip to the line (2-2) with the and-one.
Santa Clara battled on Fresno's last lead of the game at the two minute mark. The final minutes were all Broncos playing on a lengthy 11-0 run. Free reign of the basket, Grigoropoulou opened with a second-chance jumper, Pollerd locked in five points while Ingram gave the final two points from the charity line (2-2). Broncos' were led by forward Pollerd with 31 points and Kaya Ingram with 15 points.
Notes
Fresno State drops to 1-1 on the season
Mia Jacobs receives her second double-double of the season with 25 points and 10 rebounds
Fresno State suffers their first home loss to Santa Clara since 2001
Two Bulldogs finished in double-figures; Mia Jacobs (25) and Saga Ukkonen (10)
Fresno State begins the season 1-1 for the first time since 2021
'Dogs held the Broncos to eight points in the second period
Fresno State drops to 25-17 in the all-time meetings with Santa Clara
Up Next: Bulldogs continue their four game home stand on Monday, Nov. 11 to host UC Riverside. Monday night's tip-off is set for 6 p.m. PT and will stream live on the Mountain West Network.