Dec. 18, 2008

Box Score

Fresno, CA - LMU saw its seven-game wining streak snapped Thursday evening by a hot-shooting Fresno State squad, falling 85-59 in a non-conference game at Save Mart Center in Fresno, CA. Even with the loss, the Lions (8-2) tie the school record for the best 10-game start, while the Bulldogs (7-3) win their fourth in a row at home and snap a three-game losing streak to the Lions.

LMU was led by freshman Alex Cowling, who had 12 points and seven rebounds (five offensive). Sophomore Renahy Young added 10 points and sophomore Aleyse Evans had seven points and eight rebounds. Sophomore Kavita Goss also had eight points off the bench.

Perhaps thrown off by a grueling weather-delayed nine-hour bus ride the day before, the Lions shot just 30.6% (22-for-72), their lowest output of the season. LMU made two of its first three shots from long range but then went cold, connecting on just one of the next 13 to finish at 7-for-23 (30.4%). The Lions also struggled at the line, going 8-for-14 (57.1%), and committed 19 turnovers.

Fresno State entered the game averaging 9.4 three-pointers a game and used that weapon to wear out the Lions. The Bulldogs hit five threes in each half and got a career-high 24 points from Jaleesa Ross, who went 9-for-15 from the floor, including 4-for-7 from three-point range. Bailey Amundsen added 13 points and nine rebounds while Hayley Munro chipped in 12 points.

The Bulldogs finished the game shooting 43.9% (29-for-66) overall and 38.5% (10-for-26) from three-point range, including 50% (5-for-10) in the first half. The Buldogs connected on 17 of their 20 foul shots for an 85.0% clip, and held a 48-43 rebounding advantage. FSU also held a 32-14 advantage in fast break points.

From the outset, it was apparent both teams liked to get out and run, with Fresno State scoring the game's first five points, only for the Lions to answer back with six straight points, including four from sophomore Aleyse Evans. The frenetic pace continued through the first eight minutes with the teams trading leads until FSU broke out on an 18-2 run to turn a 20-18 deficit into a 36-22 lead with 7:31 left. After starting the game 7-for-14 from the floor, LMU scored only two buckets over the next five minutes, going 2-for-11.

The Lions picked it up on defense to begin the comeback, forcing a pair of steals to claw back. Cowling had a steal and went the length of the court for a layup and Helmers followed with a three and a jumper in the lane to bring LMU back to 36-29 with five minutes remaining in the half. LMU couldn't keep the Bulldogs off the glass, however, and the hosts used nine first half offensive rebounds to increase their lead to 48-33 at the half, the Lions' largest halftime deficit of the season.

LMU started the second half 1-for-13 from the floor while Ross hit two threes and Amundsen one to push the Fresno State lead above 20, 57-35 at 14:12. The lead grew to as many as 27, 67-40, as the Bulldogs continued to knock down three-pointers, reaching 10 for the game on Ashley Walker's third triple with 9:50 to go. The Lions would get no closer than 19 the rest of the way.

LMU's 8-2 start matches the program's best-ever eight-game start, set in 2003-04. The Lions continue their bus tour of California and look to bounce back on Sunday with a visit to San Diego State at 1 p.m.

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