Buffs win second straight led by Logyn Greer’s career night
The Colorado Buffaloes dominated the Fresno State Bulldogs, winning 73-56. Logyn Greer led the team with a career-high of 24 points and seven rebounds, stopping the Bulldogs’ third-quarter resurgence.
The Bulldogs entered their first year as a Pac-12 school this year, leaving the Mountain west. The Bulldogs have 11 new players this season and four returning players, yet second-year head coach Ryan McCarthy instills a high-octane, defensive-minded strategy. That attack allowed the Bulldogs to force 40 turnovers in their opening game.
Against Colorado, Fresno’s defense was on full display, pressing the Buffs full-court from beginning to end. The Bulldogs forced 18 total turnovers and scored 11 points off them.
“I’m actually pretty proud of how we took care of it all” Head coach JR Payne stated "Eighteen is too many, but we’re gonna see games this year where Fresno’s gonna turn people over 30 times.”
Despite constant pressure, the Buffs managed the Fresno State defense fairly well.
The first half was pure Buffs dominance, as they held the Bulldogs to zero points during the first three minutes and ended the opening quarter leading 25 to 11.
Although the Bulldogs forced five turnovers in the first five minutes, head coach JR Payne positioned three players to stay in the backcourt during full-court presses to prevent further turnovers. That created opportunities once the Buffs outnumbered the Bulldogs in the frontcourt.
Sophomore transfer Mecailin Marshall ended the first half with 13 points, alongside Greer’s 15. The Buffs finished the first half with 23 rebounds to the Bulldogs' nine, while holding them to a 32% from the field.
Once the third quarter started, the Bulldogs built early momentum, outshooting the Buffs 14-2and cutting the 18-point lead to eight points. Fresno State senior Mekiah Chase led the charge with a 3-pointer in the 11-4 stretch. She finished with 20 points and shot 8 for 16.
Greer ended a four-minute scoring drought, eliminating Bulldog momentum with a tough jumper in the post. On the next possession, senior forward Claire O’Connor hit a tough 3-pointer to extend the lead to 13.
The Buffs entered the fourth quarter up 59-29 over Fresno State. The Buffs went on a run late in the quarter and finished with a 17-point win over the Fresno State Bulldogs.
The Buffaloes will face the San Diego State Aztecs next Wednesday, November 11th, at six p.m. in their first away game of the regular season.
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