Women's Basketball Tournament Notes
Tournament Bracket
Commissioner Karl Benson Video Press Conference from March 13
All photos by Tim Barnett-Queen
| WOMEN'S BASKETBALL GAMES (All times Mountain) |
| Tuesday, March 11 (First Round) |
Game 1-#9 San Jose State 70, #8 Idaho 63
Postgame: Video SJSU | Idaho |
Live Stats |
WAC.tv |
Final Box |
Recap |
Photos |
| Wednesday, March 12 (Quarterfinals) |
Game 2-#5 Louisiana Tech 82, #4 Nevada 56
Postgame: Video LTU | Nevada | Quotes (PDF) LTU | Nevada |
Live Stats |
WAC.tv |
Final Box |
Recap |
Photos |
Game 3-#1 Fresno State 87, #9 San Jose State 76
Postgame: Video FS | SJSU | Quotes (PDF) FS | SJSU |
Live Stats |
WAC.tv |
Final Box |
Recap |
Photos |
Game 4-#3 New Mexico State 55, #6 Hawai‘i 40
Postgame: Video NMSU | Hawai‘i | Quotes (PDF) NMSU | Hawai‘i |
Live Stats |
WAC.tv |
Final Box |
Recap |
Photos |
|
Game 5-#2 Boise State 61, #7 Utah State 47
Postgame: Quotes (PDF) BSU | USU
|
Live Stats |
WAC.tv |
Final Box |
Recap |
Photos |
| Friday, March 14 (Semifinals) |
Game 6- #1 Fresno State 85, #5 Louisiana Tech 58
Postgame: Video FS | LTU | Quotes (PDF) FS | LTU |
Live Stats |
WAC.tv |
Final Box |
Recap |
Photos |
|
Game 7-#3 New Mexico State 72, #2 Boise State 66
Postgame: Video NMSU | BSU | Quotes (PDF) NMSU | BSU
|
Live Stats |
WAC.tv |
Final Box |
Recap |
Photos |
| Saturday, March 15 (Championship) |
Game 8-#1 Fresno State 72, #3-New Mexico State 56
Postgame: Video FS | NMSU | Quotes (PDF) FS | NMSU |
Live Stats |
WAC.tv |
Final Box |
Recap |
Photos |
Women's Championship GameFor the first time in its 43-year history, Fresno State will advance to the NCAA Tournament after a 72-56 win over New Mexico State in the WAC Women's Basketball Championship game. WAC Tournament MVP Jaleesa Ross scored 20 points, while fellow tournament team honoree Tierre Wilson added 17. The Aggies played without freshman sensation Madison Spence who was injured in the semifinals. New Mexico State's Anikia Jawara scored 19 points in the loss. This is the third-straight season that the Aggies have fallen in the title game.
All-Tournament TeamTasha Harris, Boise State
Anikia Jawara, New Mexico State
Emma Andrews, Fresno State
Tierre Wilson, Fresno State
Jaleesa Ross, Fresno State (MVP)
Women's Semifinal GamesFresno State became the 11th-straight No. 1 team to reach the finals. The Bulldogs were led by WAC Newcomer of the Year Jalessa Ross who scored 21 points. Fresno State was hot from behind the arc breaking the WAC Tournament record with 13 three-pointers. The previous record was 12 by Colorado State (1998) and TCU (2001). The Bulldogs look to capture their first WAC Tournament title and earn a bid to their first NCAA Tournament in the school's 43-year history.
No. 3 New Mexico State defeated No. 2 Boise State 72-66 in the other women's semifinal matchup. After trailing by 19 points early in the second half, New Mexico State battled back to make up the difference and take the win. NMSU's Hannah Spanich led the comeback with a team-high 18 points. Anikia Jawara helped with 15 and Sherrel Neal added 10.
Women's Quarterfinal GamesIn the final quarterfinal game, second-seeded Boise State defeated seventh-seeded Utah State, 61-47. Junior Tasha Harris had 19 points with eight rebounds as the Broncos led for most of the game. For the third-straight season the Broncos advance to the semifinals where they will take on third-seeded New Mexico State 2:30 p.m. MT.
Host New Mexico State reached its third WAC Tournament semifinal since joining the WAC with a 55-40 win over sixth-seeded Hawai`i. Freshman sensation Madison scored 20 points in the win, while Sherell Neal had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Two-sport athlete Tara Hittle had 10 points and six rebounds for the Rainbow Wahine in the loss. The last two years, the Aggies have lost in the finals. In 2006, New Mexico State lost to Louisiana Tech 63-39, and in 2007 the Aggies lost to Boise State 49-39.
In the second quarterfinal matchup, top-seeded Fresno State defeated San Jose State 87-76. The Bulldogs took a big 43-32 first-half lead. The Spartans fought hard in the second half but could not climb back. Fresno State had a big night from WAC Newcomer of the Year, Jaleessa Ross who scored 23 points. WAC Player of the Year Tierre Wilson scored 15 points for the Bulldogs who advance to the semifinals for the second time in three years. Last year, the Bulldogs lost to New Mexico State in the semifinals. WIth the win, the Bulldogs move to 20-10.
Fifth-seeded Louisiana Tech defeated fourth-seeded Nevada 82-56 as the WAC Women's Basketball Quarterfinals began. It was the second-straight day that the women's side had an upset as ninth-seeded San Jose State defeated eighth-seeded Idaho, 70-63, on Tuesday. The Lady Techsters had a dominating first half leading 42-25 at the break. Shanavia Dowdell led the Lady Techsters with 17 points, while Nevada's Dellena Criner was the high scorer for the Wolf Pack with 15 points.
First RoundIn the first round on the women's side, ninth-seeded San Jose State defeated eighth-seeded Idaho 70-63. The Spartans now move on to face No. 1 Fresno State in wednesday's quarterfinal. Women's quarterfinal action highlights Wednesday with four games, beginning at noon with No. 4 Nevada taking on fifth-seeded Louisiana Tech.