Cal win is all about denial

There was no secret about what the Fresno State women’s basketball team does well. There was almost as little secret about what California was intent on shutting down.

The fourth-seeded Golden Bears held a Bulldogs team that had made as many as 16 three-point baskets in a game this season to a mere four in a 70-47 first-round NCAA tournament victory Saturday at the Galen Center.

The 13th-seeded Bulldogs were leading the nation in three-pointers per game, averaging 9.5.

“The game plan was to take away the three,” said Cal Coach Joanne Boyle, who was content to let the Bulldogs guards drive and watched them fail to capitalize.

“We just missed layups,” Fresno State Coach Adrian Wiggins said. “A missed layup deflates you as much as a three or a dunk inflates you.”

Ashley Walker led Cal (26-6) with 21 points and eight rebounds, making nine of 12 shots.

LaShay Fears led Fresno State (24-9) with 18 points, but leading scorer Jaleesa Ross was held to eight points on three-for-14 shooting.

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No. 5 Virginia 68, No. 12 Marist 61 -- The Cavaliers led by 17 points with 3:28 left but had to withstand a barrage of three-pointers by Marist that cut the lead to five with 15 seconds left. Virginia (24-9) held on after Ariana Moorer made four free throws in the final 33 seconds. Moorer led the Cavaliers with 16 points.

Marist (29-4) led by five at halftime, but Virginia opened the second half with a 9-0 run. Erica Allenspach led the Red Foxes with 18 points.

Virginia guard Britnee Millner, a starter who averages 3.9 points a game, did not play because of an unspecified violation of team rules. Coach Debbie Ryan said it was uncertain whether she would play against Cal on Monday.

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robynnorwood@verizon.net