Blog No. 4, first half

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The Bulldogs look nervous. You had to expect that, but not to this degree. Tierre Wilson just shot a free throw that looked like Phil Neikro shot it. Emma Andrews is missing layups. Lots of stupid turnovers. It's the program's first NCAA appearance so I guess that comes along with it. As far as these young women know, everyone back in Fresno is watching. We now know they aren't. ESPN isn't showing it. Maybe I should go tell them. It might help. Nah, the blog will just stay here, slowly sipping my diet Coke from an NCAA cup, those giving the cameramen (and women) ample time to catch it for a national viewing audience. (You know, if there was one.)

On a bright note, Fresno State is hanging around. Sort of. It's 43-28. Halftime. I didn't quite make five blogs. Wonder if I can carry that extra one over to the second half, like unused vacation time.

There's a good crowd here, by the way, but it's almost impossible to figure out how many Fresno State fans there are because they're wearing red and so are the New Mexico fans, who are here early for their team's 6:30 p.m. game against the No. 5 seed, West Virginia. Not exactly sure how the No. 12 seed got to host a regional, but it did. There aren't nearly as many Baylor fans as I figured there would be. I realize it's about a 10-hour drive from Waco, Texas, to here, but it's gotta be a cheap flight from Dallas to Albuquerque, even on a few days notice. Maybe since the Baylor men finally made an NCAA Tournament, everyone went with them.

Here are your halftime leaders...

Fresno State: Tierre Wilson - 9 points, Jaleesa Ross - 7, LaShaunte Stephens - 4.
Baylor: Angela Tisdale - 16, Jessica Morrow - 7, Rachel Allison - 7.

First-half field goal percentage: Baylor - 37.5%, Fresno State - 36.7%.

You would think by those numbers that Fresno State would be in it, but Baylor is just too tall and getting to the free throw line a lot. Ten of 12 from the line. And outrebounding Fresno State 26-19. not good. The Bulldogs are 2-of-9 on 3-pointers. That will have to improve if the Bulldogs hope to get back in this.

Just got word that if you have one of the dish companies, you are able to watch the Fresno State game right now. If you have Comcast, you're not getting it. Don't call Comcast. Believe me, they know. People are calling. Apparently, all that has to happen is for someone to hit a button, but it just isn't happening. My suggestion is to just drive around until you see someone with a little dish on the roof of their house, walk up and hand them a $100 bill. Or, a 12-pack. Watch the game at a stranger's house. It'll feel like you're in a Vegas sports book. Except the cocktail waitresses won't be as scantily dressed. Or maybe they will. Depends on whose house you go to.

I'm told the line on this game was Baylor -22.5 last night, and moved down -20 this morning at the MGM. People must have been betting Fresno State. This blog wouldn't know anything about that.