LAS VEGAS -- The Fresno State Bulldogs were in deep, in dire need of a big-time bail-out play with their lead getting away and then -- poof -- gone to a large degree because of their own mistakes.

Down one point to Wyoming with 9.6 seconds to go on Friday in a semifinal at the Mountain West Conference Tournament, the Bulldogs women's basketball team had plenty of options where to go with the ball.

But it really was no mystery when it ended up in the hands of guard Ki-Ki Moore, the first-team all-conference guard, or that Moore easily got into the lane for a layup that pulled the Bulldogs along and into the tournament title game against San Diego State with a 63-62 victory over the Cowboys, the ball tumbling through the basket with just 2.5 seconds remaining.

"I mean, I was excited," said Moore, who led the Bulldogs with 22 points. "But it wasn't time to celebrate yet. There was still another play that they got the ball in and we knew we had to defend. We couldn't celebrate until the buzzer went off and the shot didn't go in."

When a desperation shot by the Chelan Landry sailed just to the right of the rim and the game did end, the Bulldogs stormed the floor, celebrating the victory and no doubt breathing a sigh of relief because it took some pretty bad basketball to put them in such a tenuous position down the stretch against Wyoming, which turned over the ball 21 times and missed a slew of shots right at the rim.

Up seven with 5:33 to play and seemingly in control, Fresno State started the Cowboys on their way back when Rosie Moult inexplicably fouled Kayla Woodward when she was firing up what appeared to be a shot 25 feet from the basket and the shot clock just about at its end. Woodward made all three foul shots to cut the Bulldogs' lead to 57-53.

Fresno State recovered a bit, extending again to eight points. But from there it went to six then five then three then one, the Bulldogs unable to get a stop or score, settling for three 3-pointers when they had been driving past the Cowboys and getting into the lane throughout the game.

Wyoming (24-7) then took a lead coming out of a timeout when Woodward got into the lane, scoring with 13.9 seconds to go. It was the Cowboys' first lead since 1:21 remained in the first half.

The Bulldogs advanced the ball, and then called a timeout.

"We had a set play," guard Taylor Thompson said. "I was trying to get it to Ki-Ki, so that was our plan. If that didn't work, then we were just going to have to wing it."

Wyoming knew that as well, but had not had much success staying in front of the Bulldogs when they decided to drive, be it Moore, Thompson, Moult, Bree Farley or anyone else intent on getting into the lane.

Moore, who had missed a layup with 35 seconds remaining that would have put the Bulldogs up by three, got past Kaitlyn Mileto and this time nailed the shot.

"Moore is their leading scorer. She's proven she's dependable in tight situations like that. You knew they were going to go to her," Wyoming forward Chaundra Sewell said.

"She got by Kaitlyn, the defense didn't quite rotate just right and she was able to hit a really nice shot. You've got to give it to her. She didn't hesitate."

And now the Bulldogs get San Diego State -- they split the season series, which included the Bulldogs' worst home loss of the season, a 74-49 beating on Feb. 9 at the Save Mart Center.

"You know, they're going to be a tough team," Thompson said. "They've got great players all across the board. But so do we. We're just going to go in and play our game and hopefully, I think that will be enough. If we just go in and prepare for them the way we know how, I think we'll win."

Title matchup

No. 1 San Diego State (26-5) vs. No. 2 Fresno State (23-8) at 7 p.m.

Radio: 6:20 p.m., KFIG (AM 940)