FRESNO, Calif.- Fresno State closes out non conference play with a win at the Save Mart Center against Northern Arizona on Thursday night, 66-55.
Mia Jacobs looks to close in on ten double-doubles with No. 9 on 21 points and 14 rebounds. Maria Konstantinidou and Saga Ukkonen also hit double figures tonight.
How it happened
Fresno State opened with a strong first twenty minutes in a lead that would hold over for Thursday's contest against Northern Arizona. Maria Kostantimidou grabbed the first points of the night. Mariah Elohim followed up with a three-pointer for a Bulldog 5-0 run to start. Both teams saw a 5-5 run as the final minutes winded down in the first quarter.
With only one turnover, Fresno State held good possession of the ball nabbing six points off NAU's 10 turnovers. The 'Dogs longest scoring run of the night, 7-0, came off the hands of Kylee Fox with a layup. Saga Ukkonnen with a deep three and closed out by Danae Powell. NAU fought back, chipping a 12 point Bulldog lead to as little as eight going into the half.
Going into the half Fresno State was shot better than Northern Arizona on all accounts. Bulldogs shot 27% from the field (12-of-43), 30% from the three (4-of-13) and 100% from the foul lie=ne (1-1). NAU shot 22% from the field (7-of-31), 16% from the three (2-of-12) and 62% from the foul line (5-of-8).
Fresno State kept their momentum coming out of the half, holding as large as a 14 point lead mid-way through the third. Elohim led the charge for the 'Dogs largest lead of the night off a jumper. NAU's Glancey gave the Lumberjacks a fighting chance after putting up 14 of the teams 19 points in the third. Northern Arizona closed on a 3-0 run to get within six of the Bulldogs with ten more to play.
Bulldogs and Lumberjacks went 8-8 in the first five minutes. Ukkonen snapped a two minute scoring drought with a shot from downtown. Lumberjacks failed to make a field goal in the last four minutes giving the Bulldogs an opportunity to close on another 7-0 run. Jacobs started the last scoring run with a second chance layup, then made a trip to the line (2-2). A steal and score for Fox earns the 'Dogs another two and Powell caps off 1-1 at the line.
Notable
Fresno State improves to 9-4 on the season
Mia Jacobs earned double-double No. 9 with 21 points and 14 rebounds
Three Bulldogs finished in double figures: Mia Jacobs (21), Saga Ukkonen (12) and Maria Konstantinidou (11)
Fresno State defeated a team that was selected to win their conference (NAU - Big Sky)
'Dogs have won seven games at home, the most home wins in the last five seasons
Maria Konstantinidou was shy of three rebounds to earn her first career double-double
Fresno State extends the series lead to 5-3 against NAU and holds a three-game series win streak
Fresno State is now 9-4 when making 6 or more 3PFG
'Dogs are 2-0 in Thursday contests
Fresno State is 4-0 when the scoring margin is between 11-20
Up next: Fresno State returns to the court after a ten day break to begin conference play against three-time Mountain West Champions, UNLV on Dec. 29 at the Cox Pavilion. The contest will stream live on the Mountain West Network at 6 p.m. PT.