Game 23: Fresno State (8-14, 1-8 MW) at San Diego State (16-5, 6-2 MW)
Jan. 26, 2022 • 6 p.m. PT • San Diego, Calif. • Viejas Arena
TV/ONLINE: Mountain West Network
RADIO: Bulldog Sports Network (PxP: Matt Norville)
LIVE: BulldogsLive.com
LAST MEETING: San Diego State 49-43 in Fresno, Calif. on Jan. 11, 2023
SERIES HISTORY: Aztecs lead 31-26
BULLDOG BONES
Fresno State closes out its three-game road swing on Thursday, visiting San Diego State.
It will be the Bulldogs' sixth game outside of Fresno in their first 10 games of Mountain West play. The 'Dogs are the only team to play this many six road conference games by Jan. 26.
Following Thursday night's game, Fresno State will see its first bye occur on Jan. 28. The Bulldogs will be the last team in the Mountain West to play on every conference date since league play began on Jan. 29..
While six road games in four weeks may be daunting, the final four weeks will see a reverse as the Bulldogs will have just three on the road and six at home.
Fresno State is 0-8 in true road games this year but only one of those contests was separated by more than seven points. Three have been decided by three points or less while a fourth went to double overtime.
Of the Bulldogs nine conference games, seven have been decided by 10 points or less, the most of any team in the league.
Averaging 16.0 points and 1.9 steals per game, Amaya West is one of two players in the MW to rank in the Top 7 in both scoring (4th) and steals (7th).
RIGHT THERE
Through nine games in Mountain West play, Fresno State has been outscored by 4.9 points per game. Six of the Bulldogs' eight losses have been by seven points or less with one or two possessions late in games determining the outcome.
Of the Bulldogs nine conference games, seven have been decided by 10 points or less, the most of any team in the league.
START FAST
The first quarter this season has been telling for the Bulldogs. In all eight Fresno State wins, the 'Dogs have led after the first quarter. Four of those have seen the Bulldogs with a double-digit lead after 10 minutes.
Fresno State is 8-3 when leading after the first quarter.
TOUGH SLEDDING ON THE ROAD
The Bulldogs have had a tough go of things away from Fresno this season with a 1-9 record outside of the Save Mart Center. In true road contests they are 0-8. Looks can be deceiving though as seven of those games have been decided by seven points or less.
Not counting Fresno State's loss at then-No. 11 UCLA, the Bulldogs' average margin of defeat in their other five road games is 4.3 points per game.
TWO-WAY PLAYER
Fresno State coaches knew that Amaya West would bring defense when they brought her in after four years at Nevada. What the fifth-year senior has also brought to Fresno is an offensive game that wasn't used much in Reno. In her last season in the Mountain West, the Mesa, Ariz. native has shown off her full array, averaging 16.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals per through the first nine games.
West is one of two players in the league to rank in the Top 7 in both scoring (4th) and steals (7th).
SCOUTING SAN DIEGO STATE
San Diego State goes into Thursday's contest against the 'Dogs with a 16-5 overall record and a 6-2 mark in the Mountain West.
The Aztecs are tied for second in the MW with Colorado State.
SDSU is 11-1 at home this season with its only loss coming to UNLV.
The Aztecs lead the Mountain West in scoring defense (55.9) and sits second in assists per game (14.8), steals per game (10.3) and three point percentage (35.2).
Senior guard Sophia Ramos leads the MW in free throw percentage (89.2) and ranks second in three pointers (40).
Sophomore guard Asia Avinger checks in third in the MW in assists per game (4.5) and assists (72).