Game 4: Fresno State (2-1) vs. CSUN (1-2)
Nov. 23, 2021 • 6 p.m. PT • Fresno, Calif. (Save Mart Center)
TV/WEB: Mountain West Network (Matt Norville)
RADIO: Bulldogs Sports Network (BSN)/KRDU 1130 AM (Matt Norville)
SERIES HISTORY: Fresno State 22-6
LAST MEETING: CSUN 85, Fresno State 72 [12/2/17 – Northridge, Calif.]
THE BREAKDOWN
After opening the season with two on the road, Fresno State will host CSUN in its second consecutive game at home. It will be the last time the Bulldogs will be at home until Dec. 18.
The 'Dogs will be looking to win their second consecutive home game to start a season for the first time since 2018-19 when they won their first eight at the Save Mart Center.
Until the last to contest between the Bulldogs and Matadors, Fresno State had won 15 straight in the series.
Enter Tuesday, Haley Cavinder ranks in the Top 3 in the Mountain West in 11 different statistical categories, including ranking No. 3 nationally in assists per game (8.0).
BACK HOME
Fresno State plays its second straight home game on Tuesday. After opening the season with two on the road, the 'Dogs will return to the road for their next five contests following their matchup with CSUN.
The Bulldogs are looking to win their second consecutive home game to start a season for the first time since 2018-19 when they won their first eight.
SHE CAN DO IT ALL
Through three games, Haley Cavinder has had her hand in everything that the Bulldogs have done. The 5-foot-6 point guard ranks second in the Mountain West in points (18.3 ppg), and first in rebounds (10.0 rpg) and assists (8.0 apg). She also sits first in double-doubles (2), free throw percentage (1.000) and 3-point field goals made per game (3.33), and second in assist-turnover ratio (4.8) and 3-point percentage (58.8).
Nationally, Cavinder is third in assists per game, 39th in rebounds per game, 66th in points per game, 24th in double-doubles, 25th in 3-point field goals per game and 21st in 3-point percentage.
RUN THE SHOW
As Fresno State's primary point guard Haley Cavinder dished out a career-best 10 assists in back-to-back games to open up the season. Her 8.0 assists per game ranks No. 3 in the NCAA. She also sits 18th in assist-turnover ratio (4.80).
Since the final two games of the 2020-21 season, Cavinder hasn't split primary point guard responsibilities. During those five games she has 37 assists, dishing out less than six just once.
1,000 POINT SISTERS
With her 10th point at BYU (Nov. 13), Hanna Cavinder became the 27th player in Fresno State history to join the 1,000 point club. She also became the second Cavinder to reach the career milestone, joining her sister Haley who accomplished the feat late last season.
Hanna reached the 1,000-point mark in 62 games, the third fastest to do so in program. Only Haley (57) and Ki-Ki Moore (60) did it in less games.
LET IT FLY
With team's keying in on the Cavinder twins, transfer Amiee Book stepped up during the opening week, launching one 3-pointer after another. After missing her first two attempts at Utah Valley, Book made five of her last six. Through three games, Book is 9-of-19 (47.4%) from three.
Nineteen of Book's 25 field goal attempts have been 3-pointers.
Book ranks 40th nationally in 3-pointers made per game (3.0).
SCOUTING CSUN
CSUN enters Tuesday's contest with a 1-2 record. Both of their losses have come to nationally-ranked opponents in Arizona (87-44) and UCLA (73-46).
The Matadors are averaging 54.0 points per game while allowing 75.7. They have been outrebounded by an average of 16.7 per game.
CSUN has been outscored by 26 in second quarters (8.7 ppg) and 24 in fourth quarters (8.0 ppg).
After not competing during the 2020-21 season, the Matadors returned just three players from their 2019-20 squad. The trio includes their current leading scorer Jordyn Jackson who is average 11.3 points per game.
Jackson is the Matadors' only player in double figures. Their next closest is Fresno native Tess Amundsen at 6.0 points.
CSUN is 45th nationally in fewest turnovers having committed 46 this season.