Game 1: Fresno State (0-0, 0-0 MW) vs Fresno Pacific (0-0, 0-0 PacWest)
Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 | 5 p.m. PT | Save Mart Center | Mountain West Network | Fresno, Calif.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Watch: Mountain West Network
Listen: Bulldog Sports Network (BSN)
Play-by-Play: Matt Norville
Sidelines: Taylor Martinez
Stats: Statbroadcast
Twitter (X) : @fresnostatewbb
FRESNO, Calif.- Fresno State will open the 2025-26 season on Monday evening against Fresno Pacific under the new leadership of Ryan McCarthy, the 12th head women's basketball coach in program history. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. PT at the Save Mart Center and will stream live on the Mountain West Network.
Bulldog Bones
Ryan McCarthy opens his first season with Fresno State against Fresno Pacific as the programs 12th head coach
McCarthy comes to the Central Valley after 13 seasons at the University of Alaska Anchorage, in which he brings five players to Fresno State - Jaisa Gamble, Emilia Long, Ashlyn Rean, Mackenzie Sirowich and Hedda Koehne
Fresno State saw a 73-49 win against UC Merced in an exhibition game
Fresno State welcomed 11 newcomers to the 2025-26 rosters, two freshmen and nine transfers
Incoming freshmen (2) - Ava Marr (Brier, Wash.) and Briana Webb (Hayward, Calif.)
Incoming transfers (9) - Morelia Chavez (Florida State), Indiya Clarke (Wofford), Djessira Diawara (San Jose State), Jaisa Gamble (Alaska Anchorage), Hedda Koehne (Alaska Anchorage), Emilia Long (Alaska Anchorage), Ashlyn Rean (Alaska Anchorage), Kenzie Sirowich (Alaska Anchorage) and Diarrah Sissoko (New Mexico State)
Fresno State finished the 2024-25 season with a 19-15, 8-10 MW record
Bulldogs see the departure of eight players, five of which were in the 'Dogs starting rotation
Of the eight departing players, Bulldogs will see five of them in opposing teams scheduled this season - Kylee Fox (Santa Clara), Taija Sta. Maria (Pepperdine), Maria Konstantinidou (San Diego State), Mariah Elohim (UNLV) and Holly Griffiths (Grand Canyon)
Three Bulldogs return for their second season at Fresno State - Aloni Oliver (R-Fr.), Danae Powell (So.) and Avery Watkins (Jr.)
The non-conference portion of the schedule features only four home games
Five 'Dogs will make the transition from DII to DI this season, Jaisa Gamble, Hedda Koehne, Kenzie Sirowich, Ashlyn Rean and Emilia Long
The 2025-26 season is the final season that Fresno State will be a part of the Mountain West Conference
'Dogs will join the Pac-12 for the 2026-27 campaign
Year One
The McCarthy era officially begins on Monday night.
Coach McCarthy is looking for his first win of the season and his career at Fresno State. Of the last five head coaches only two of them have won their first game of the season in their debut coaching season.
Coach McCarthy looks to start his coaching career on the winning side at Fresno State alongside the last four head coaches. The last four head coaches opened their careers with a winning record at Fresno State, McCarthy will work to mark the fifth consecutive winning first season.
It's a year of firsts as McCarthy will face four other first-year coaches this season.
Lee Cummard (BYU)
Winston Gandy (Grand Canyon)
Jonas Chatterton (San Jose State)
Loree Payne (Santa Clara)
Mayhem
Mayhem has made its way to the Valley.
The team follows a mantra known as "Mayhem". Mayhem describes his program's signature up-tempo style and their energy on the court when playing. It's a motto that coach McCarthy has held throughout his years of coaching in Alaska, now bringing it to Fresno.
About the matchup
Fresno State and Fresno Pacific will meet for the sixth time outside of an exhibition match since 1995
Fresno State leads the all-time meetings 5-0
Bulldogs saw a 26 point win over the Sunbirds in the 2024 season opener, 72-46
Fresno Pacific was selected 7th in the PacWest preseason poll
Sunbirds retired nine seniors from last seasons squad including four of their top scorers