Before the season, head coach Ryan McCarthy said Fresno State built its nonconference schedule to challenge the Bulldogs, particularly on the road to prepare them for league play. But that doesn’t mean they can afford to overlook their home opponents. So far, they haven’t. Fresno State has won its first three home games and will look to carry that momentum into its trip to Florida Gulf Coast on November 24.
The Bulldogs improved to 3–1 with an 85–71 victory over Northern Arizona on Saturday at the Save Mart Center. But while Fresno State earned another win, it left plenty of meat on the bone.
Junior Ashlyn Rean led four Bulldogs in double figures with 18 points and added 10 rebounds for a double-double. Senior Mekhia Chase finished with 17 points, Lola Donez scored a career-high 15 and Jada Hunter added 14 on perfect 7-for-7 shooting. Ivy Brown collected a career-high 12 rebounds.
Those performances gave Fresno State plenty to celebrate. In his second season leading the Bulldogs, McCarthy still saw a team that fell short of its standard.
“Overall, I didn’t feel like we got better today,” McCarthy said. “That’s our goal every time we go out there is to get better.”
The Bulldogs’ “Mayhem” identity surfaced in a game-changing second quarter, but McCarthy wanted more consistent defensive discipline. Fresno State committed 26 fouls, giving Northern Arizona free-throw opportunities and preventing the Bulldogs from creating more separation.
“I didn’t feel like this was poor officiating or anything like that,” McCarthy said. “It was our lack of discipline.”
Bench helps Bulldogs overcome slow start
Fresno State struggled to establish an offensive rhythm in the first quarter, shooting 31% from the field and making just one of its final 11 shots. The Bulldogs managed only one basket over the last six minutes as Northern Arizona took a 16–12 lead.
Zawadi Ogot picked up two early fouls, forcing McCarthy to turn to his bench. Brown supplied immediate energy, leading Fresno State with four first-quarter points.
The Bulldogs stayed close through their defense and offensive rebounding. They held Northern Arizona to 33% shooting, forced five turnovers, and collected six offensive rebounds in the opening period.
Rean sparked the second quarter, scoring Fresno State’s first four points, with Brown assisting on the second basket. The Bulldogs forced four turnovers in the opening three minutes and began turning defensive stops into offense.
“We turned some defensive rebounds into transition points, and I thought the pace was more like what we wanted,” McCarthy said.
Rean and Donez each scored eight points in the quarter, while Hunter added six off the bench. Fresno State forced nine turnovers in the period while committing just two.
An 11–2 run to close the half, capped by a Donez steal and layup in the final seconds, gave the Bulldogs a 42–34 lead. They scored 30 points in the second quarter despite going 0-for-10 from beyond the arc.
Fresno State also generated 16 first half points off turnovers. Rean led the Bulldogs with 12 points at the break, while Brown contributed five points and six rebounds.
Newcomers make their impact
The Bulldogs carried their offensive momentum into the third quarter, making their first four shots. Donez opened the scoring, and Hunter added six consecutive points. Ava Marr finally broke Fresno State’s 3-point drought with 6:32 remaining in the period. The Bulldogs missed their first 10 attempts from behind the arc.
By the 3:44 mark, Chase, Donez, Rean and Hunter had all reached double figures.
Fresno State’s defense also tightened, holding Northern Arizona scoreless for more than three minutes during one stretch and limiting the Lumberjacks to 21% shooting in the quarter. Hunter scored eight points in the period, while Brown grabbed five rebounds to bring her total to 11 through three quarters.
Northern Arizona kept fighting in the fourth, and Fresno State struggled to close it out. Rubi Gray provided timely offense with two 3-pointers, accounting for all six of her points.
The Bulldogs ultimately had enough contributions to finish the job, with the transfer portal’s impact evident throughout the lineup. Chase supplied 17 points and eight rebounds, Hunter finished perfect from the field and Brown secured five offensive rebounds among her career-high 12 boards.
McCarthy praised Brown’s ability to create additional possessions, especially on a day when Fresno State struggled to make outside shots.
“She’s a monster on the glass, and she’s so strong and she’s so explosive,” McCarthy said.
Donez credited the bench with changing the energy after the slow start.
“Just our bench coming in can bring a lot of life and a lot of energy, and just knowing that it doesn’t drop off when we have our bench come in is very important,” Donez said.
Donez also grew more comfortable in McCarthy’s offense, topping her previous career high of 11 points against New Mexico.
“I feel a lot more comfortable just attacking and hunting the shot that I’m comfortable taking,” Donez said.
For McCarthy, the newcomers’ contributions reflect both the relationships that brought them to Fresno State and their willingness to embrace bigger roles.
“At the end of the day, they’re good players, but they’re really good people,” McCarthy said.
Four Key Players
- Ashlyn Rean: 18 points, 10 rebounds and three steals.
- Mekhia Chase: 17 points and eight rebounds.
- Lola Donez: Career-high 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals.
- Jada Hunter: 14 points on perfect 7-for-7 shooting and five rebounds.
On the glass: Ivy Brown added five points and a career-high 12 rebounds, including five offensive boards.
A higher standard ahead
Fresno State finished with 56 rebounds, including 24 on the offensive glass. That effort remained a bright spot in an area McCarthy said needed improvement after the Bulldogs’ road loss to Colorado.
“I’m really proud of the steps that we’ve made from a rebounding standpoint and our commitment on the glass,” McCarthy said.
Now the challenge is pairing that commitment with a more disciplined defense. The Bulldogs have time to address those issues before traveling to Florida Gulf Coast on November 24.
McCarthy believes the team can compete for a postseason opportunity, but Saturday reinforced how much work remains.
“Our goal is always to compete for championships, play in the postseason, put some banners up there,” McCarthy said.
The Bulldogs protected their home court again. Their next road test will demand a more complete performance.
Game story written by Noel Thompson, cover captured by Ryan Sepulveda (Fresno Sports Magazine). For more pictures and updates on Fresno State Athletics, follow @AlScott1998 on Twitter (X) or @AlScottSports on IG.