Photo by Tyler Keck / Courtesy Fresno State Athletics

For the second straight year, the women’s basketball team is going to the ‘big dance’

Most Saturday nights in Fresno usually involve people going out to clubs or parties and doing their own celebrating.

But that wasn’t the case for a few Fresno State women’s basketball fans after the team returned from the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) tournament.

“We are the champions!” was what one ’Dog fan was singing towards guard Jaleesa Ross.

The Bulldogs returned home to the Fresno State campus with their second straight WAC title after their 56-49 victory against Nevada.

Ross was named tournament Most Valuable Player for the second year in the row, after hitting four three-pointers and finishing with 22 points against the Wolf Pack. The sophomore averaged 18.7 points per game in the tournament and became the school’s single-season 3-point leader with 93.

Now, Ross will be playing in her second NCAA tournament later this week.

“I’m excited and ready to play some more games,” Ross said. “We just expect a really hard matchup. We expect a lot of size that we’re going to go up against and we expect to be a little more prepared than we were last year.”

A year ago, Fresno State played Baylor in the opening round and was sent home early. Another sophomore on the Bulldogs’ roster, Hayley Munro, wants to see a much different outcome this time.

“Wherever we go, we’ll be happy with it,” Munro said. “We want to make it past the first round and go from there.”

Munro has been crucial towards collecting rebounds in the tournament. She finished with eight boards as her team out-rebounded Nevada 51-34.

Andrew Riggs / The Collegian

“That’s what wins games,” Munro said. “If you out-rebound a team, you usually come out with a win. That was definitely a factor.”

The game was not an easy one for the Bulldogs, however.

After trailing 12-6 early in the first half, Fresno State went on a 14-2 run to take a 20-14 lead with 8:27 left. The Bulldogs went into halftime with a 31-20 lead.

But then the Wolf Pack made a run of their own to start the second half and took a 41-40 lead. That was the last time Nevada led for the rest of the game.

“We got a little lead going into halftime, and then they came out really hard on us and made it a tough grind right through the end,” Munro said. “But, luckily, we came out with the win.”

Coach Adrian Wiggins also noticed the level of play Nevada was bringing to the defending WAC champions.

“Both teams were fast in transition,” Wiggins said. “Their post players are long and athletic. They were a challenge for us. It was just a great effort. We’re really proud of the players. Another WAC championship is a great thing.”

Perhaps no one may be more proud of a WAC title than Bailey Amundsen, who is one of three seniors on this year’s squad.

“It feels awesome,” Amundsen said. “I’m glad we did it two years in a row. It’s a good way to go out. I’m really happy we were able to pull it off. I couldn’t be happier.”

Amundsen’s career isn’t over yet, with her team likely playing in either Los Angeles or San Diego in their first round game.

“No preference, I like California. Either way, it’s okay with me,” Amundsen said.

Amundsen’s coach is also hoping that the Bulldogs stay in California when the brackets are revealed on Monday, because it will be an opportunity for the fans to see the two-time WAC champions.

“We want to be able to drive and have our fans drive down and watch us play,” Wiggins said. “Hopefully, we get something in L.A or San Diego. This team, right here, likes challenges. They really step up to it, so I’m excited about our next game.”