How did Fresno State respond to first Mountain West women’s basketball loss? Seniors lead way

Fresno State rebounded from its first loss in 16 Mountain West women’s basketball games, taking apart one of the hottest teams in the conference in a 69-58 victory over Nevada on Senior Day Saturday at the Save Mart Center.

With seniors Lydia Friberg, Katelin Noyer and Jordanna Porter in the starting lineup, the Bulldogs allowed the Wolf Pack to hit just 35.3% of their shots – and they had to hit five of their final seven shots just to get there.

“I thought we started out great and it was really fun to have our seniors be able to start and they did so well,” coach Jaime White said.

“Happy for that. We felt like we needed to rebound and take care of the ball and we kind of did both. I thought the biggest thing was our defense, holding a team to 58. I think they normally score 67 – that was a big deal – and we just kind of grinded it out.”

Nevada had come to Fresno State riding a four-game winning streak, tied with Boise State for the longest in the conference after the Bulldogs’ loss at Air Force, and had put up considerably more than 67 points in its run.

The Wolf Pack had hit 46.3% of their shots and scored an average of 74.8 points, twice putting up 80 points or more, in winning at Air Force, at San Jose State and against UNLV and New Mexico.

But they got little going against the Bulldogs (23-5, 16-1 in the MW), who had allowed Air Force to hit a season-high 51.6% of its shots including 61.5% from the 3-point line in an 88-65 victory, their first in 17 games in the series.

Coach on Air Force loss

“We were a little upset,” White said. “We went down there and kind of got it handed to us. We were not happy about how we played, and Air Force played a great game. This time of year, and especially after we had won the conference, everybody else is still playing for position in the tournament or playing for a bye and we have to remember that.

“We’ve got to go out there and fine-tune our own game and kind of get ready for the tournament. A little bit disappointed and I think our girls were, too, and it showed tonight. They responded pretty well.”

The Bulldogs did help Nevada (14-13, 7-9) along. While each team had 38 rebounds. the Wolf Pack had 17 on offense that led to 16 second-chance points. The Bulldogs also had 15 turnovers, leading to 19 Nevada points.

Seniors shine

But after building a lead that hit 19 points early in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs were able to coast a bit to the wire and celebrate with their three seniors.

“That’s just how it should be, and all three have worked really hard and have done everything that everybody else has done,” White said. “I’m just proud of them. I’m proud that they could take that moment and shine, and that’s special. I don’t think that always happens so I’m really proud of them and I’m happy the Red Wave could see it.”

Porter led that group with 13 points, three rebounds and two assists. Noyer had four points and three rebounds and while Friberg did not score, she had a very productive 11 minutes with three rebounds and three assists.

“It was bittersweet,” Porter said. “I had a bunch of emotions going through my mind just like the rest of the seniors did.

“Just wanted to come out and contribute and win as a team, just like we’ve been doing all season. To do that, and then get in front of all the seniors in our last game here is kind of emotional, but then again we came and did what we had to do and got it done.”