FRESNO, Calif.- Amy Parrish's first three-pointer of the season allowed Fresno State to make history on Thursday night at the Save Mart Center.
Trailing 60-59, Parrish knocked down her first triple of the year with 45 seconds remaining in regulation to propel Fresno State (6-0) to a 65-61 win over Washington State and the best start to a season in school history.
Fresno State's six-game winning streak is the first since 1990. That streak will be tested on Saturday night, when No. 18 UCLA (5-1) visits the Save Mart Center. Fresno State's last win over a top-25 opponent was an 86-84 overtime win over No. 25 Long Beach State back on Feb. 8, 1992.
Late in the second half, it looked as if the Bulldog's hot start might come to an end. Washington State (3-3), which trailed 30-19 at halftime, came up with an inspired second-half effort and outscored Fresno State 42-35 over the final 20 minutes. The Cougars made five of eight attempts from the three-point line, including three critical treys from Stephanie Singer.
Fresno State led all game until a jumper by Washington State's Adriane Ferguson tied the game at 48-48 with 7:22 left to play. A triple from Kate Benz gave the Cougars their largest lead of the game at 56-52, only to see Fresno State score four quick points.
Chantella Perera nailed a three to give the Bulldogs a 59-56 advantage with 2:36 on the clock, but Singer responded with a trey of her own. Washington State took a brief 60-59 lead following a free throw from Singer before Parrish's heroics put Fresno State back up for good.
Parrish finished with 10 points, but Fresno State was able to build such a large lead due to the play of Aritta Lane. For the second straight game, Lane was the recipient of an impressive Bulldog transition game as she led all scorers with 23 points (17 of which came in the first half).
And for the second straight game, Mirenda Swearengin threatened triple-double status with nine points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Six of her assists came in the first half, most of which set-up Lane for quick, easy points on the break.
Fresno State also held a commanding 49-29 edge on the boards. The Bulldogs were only 5-27 from the three-point line, compared to Washington State's 6-12 clip. Washington State shot 39-percent, while Fresno State checked in at 37.9-percent.
It looked as if the Bulldogs would roll early on, scoring the game's first eight points and ending the half on an 8-0 scoring run.