Fresno State women’s basketball earns their first win in the “McCarthy Era” against Fresno Pacific University, beating the Sunbirds 87-38 on Monday, Nov 3 at the Save Mart Center.
The win was spearheaded by the Bulldogs’ suffocating defense, which resulted in 22 steals and 37 Sunbird turnovers. The ‘Dogs also got strong guard play from guards Dane Powell and Emilia Long, something head coach Ryan McCarthy valued.
“The guards did a really good job—this is as offensively efficient as we’ve seen them,” McCarthy said. “Our biggest thing was taking care of the ball and not giving it to the other team.”
McCarthy also liked their effort on the defensive end, noting that’s going to be the expectation every night.
“I thought we were really good defensively, we pretty much dominated—thats the expectation every night,” McCarthy said.
The Bulldogs’ effort on the court was another highlight of the game—whether it was on loose balls, offensive rebounds, or picking up full-court.
“That’s the standard of this program, if you don’t get on the fifty-fifty’s you’re going to have a longer practice,” McCarthy said. “If we can’t win those, we can’t have “mayhem” on our shirts.”
Key stats
- Danae Powell: 18 points (8-12), 3 assists, 4 steals.
- Jaisa Gamble:18 points (8-12), 3 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals.
- Emilia Long: 14 points (6-12), 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 4 steals.
What happened
To open the game, the Bulldogs showed an immediate full-court press upon tip-off and that effort was on display throughout the first quarter—diving on loose balls, resulting in 9 steals and 12 Sunbird turnovers
The Bulldogs also had the size advantage, and it showed on the boards, grabbing 19 rebounds and 8 offensive rebounds for seven second chance points to add to the ‘Dogs’ 21-6 first quarter.
The second quarter belonged to the Bulldogs, holding the Sunbirds to zero points (0-14) and seven second quarter turnovers. On top of that, the ‘Dogs also tested the paint defense of the Sunbirds, and passed, scoring 12 of their 21 second quarter points in the paint en route to their 42-6 lead heading into halftime.
In the third quarter, momentum switched sides, with the Sunbirds finding some rhythm of their own.
The Sunbirds outscored the Bulldogs 21-19, doing their damage in the paint (8 paint points) and on the defensive end as they came away with a blocked shot to go with their two steals. But the Sunbirds still found themselves in a 61-27 hole.
To close the game, the Bulldogs found their footing, with their five steals and Gamble scoring 14 of the ‘Dogs’ 12 points.
In the fourth quarter, Gamble found herself running the offense at times as she looked to make the right play.
“I think I’m just looking for the advantage—the advantage means getting a step on the offense and getting into that domino effect where we can keep going at them,” Gamble said.
What’s next
The Bulldogs are on the road as they take on California State University, Bakersfield on Friday, Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. They will return home to the Save Mart Center on Tuesday, Nov. 11, with tipoff at 6:30 p.m.
Recap by Vincent Ordonio (Fresno Sports Magazine)