ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - It was a rapid fire finish for Fresno State at The Pit on Saturday afternoon. Fresno State played for their first win at The Pit since 2020 and for head coach Jaime White's third, with a 13 point advantage over the Lobos, 77-64.
For the second time this season, Fresno State was led by four players finishing in double figures. Mia Jacobs tabs her ninth 20+ point game this season, followed by Saga Ukkonen's new career high 13 points marking her eighth double figure game this season. Mariah Elohim and Maria Konstantinidou both finished with 10+ points, good for their tenth and fifth double figure games this season, respectively.
How it Happened
Maria Konstantinidou won the tip ball and quickly moved to the basket for a layup in the first thirty seconds. Fresno State trailed by one after the first media timeout. Leading up to the timeout, Mariah Elohim, Kylee Fox and Rayna Williams all touched in shots through the first five minutes for a 10-7 lead halfway through the first. It was a tight quarter as both teams went neck-n-neck off three lead changes. Another set of three's from Jacobs followed by New Mexico's Cumber gave the Lobos a one point lead, 16-15.
Danae Powell's layup had the Bulldogs moving on a 5-0 run to take a four point lead. Lobos hit a scoring run going 6-0 in over thirty-six seconds to pull that four point lead back from the Bulldogs. Elohim sank in a three-pointer cutting into the lead, 31-30. Jacobs didn't let Mexico's lead go far with a quick three-pointer of her own to tie it up, 33-33. A 4-4 run in the final two minutes of the first half tied it up once again, 37-37.
Bulldogs were tied going into the half with an 11% shooting difference from the field. Fresno State shot 41% (14-of-34) and 44% from beyond the arc (7-of-16) to New Mexico's 52% (15-of-29) from the field and 42% from the three (5-of-12).
Fresno State started on a slower pace coming out of the locker room with the Lobos opening on a 7-0 run. It was over five minutes before Fresno State got in their first basket of the second half with Elohim's deep three. New Mexico held a ten point lead as the final minute came around until the 'Dogs spurted on a 5-0 run by Jacobs jumper and Fox's second chance jumper beyond the arc. Lobos grabbed a basket at the buzzer by Hargrove to hold a seven point lead, 57-50.
'Dogs were ready to keep fighting on a 6-2 start. Fresno State grabbed another three-point play off Powell's and-1, trailing by three, 59-56. Ukkonen ties it up again for the first time since the half with a shot beyond the arc, 61-61. Ukkonen kept it pushing with a layup for the lead once again, 63-61. Fresno State held New Mexico scoreless for over four minutes. Jacobs hit her fourth three-pointer of the day as the Bulldogs storm on a 10-0 run with two minutes and thirty seconds to go. New Mexico's Cumber got in one last shot, good for three before the Bulldogs stormed on a 6-0 run to call game, 77-64.
Notable
Fresno State improves to 13-8, 4-4 MW
Every Bulldog that saw action in the first half, scored at least one point (8 players)
Fresno State's last win at The Pit was in Feb. 2020 (84-78)
The last time Fresno held New Mexico to 65 points or less at The Pit was in Jan. 2, 2016 (69-65) in double overtime
Mia Jacobs earned her 12th double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds
For the second time this season four players finished in double figures (Mia Jacobs, Mariah Elohim, Saga Ukkonen and Maria Konstantinidou)
The last time Fresno had four players in double-digits, scored 77 points and held their opponent to 65 or less was against San Jose State on Jan. 11, 2024
Bulldogs are now 2-0 when four or more players score 10+ points
For the second time this season, Fresno State has out rebounded a conference opponent (38/30 at New Mexico) (35/27 vs Utah State)
Bulldogs hand Lobos their second conference loss and sixth home loss
Three Bulldogs scored career highs- Saga Ukkonen with 13 points, Danae Powell on nine points and Rayna Williams with 6 points
Up next: Fresno State continues their time on the road heading to the biggest little city in the world to take on Nevada (16-16, 10-8 MW) on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Bulldogs tip off against the Wolf Pack at Lawlor Events Center at 11 a.m. PT streaming live on the Mountain West Network.