Dec. 8, 2007

Photo Gallery of LA Road Trip

FRESNO, Calif.- Tierre Wilson knew the day was coming when she would have to say good bye to former Fresno State All-WAC performer Chantella Perera. But Wilson didn't expect the day to sneak up on her as quick as it did.

On Tuesday, Wilson along with the entire Bulldog basketball team bid farewell to the Perera at the Westin Hotel in Los Angeles, Calif., as she prepared to board a flight back to Australia. It is there where Perera will begin her career as a professional basketball player in her native homeland.

"It was very hard," Wilson said on saying good bye to her former teammate. "We were together a long time. She is someone who I look up to a lot."

Perera spent the fall semester taking her final classes to get her degree in Business Management. She finished her final exams early so she could join her professional team, the Dandenong Jayco Rangers. The team has already started competition and is a game out of fourth place in her league. Former Fresno State player Faith Probst (2003-05) also plays on the team and has kept Perera connected on how her soon-to-be teammates are doing.

Perera also spent the fall doing an Internship with coach Adrian Wiggins and his staff. The time working with the coaching staff also helped the Australian guard realize how much she missed playing ball.

"I am a bit sad and excited at the same time," Perera said. "I am sad because I have made such good friends and it will be hard to leave the girls and the coaches. I am excited because I get to go home and play basketball again. I have been dying to play basketball."

When Perera was on the court for the Bulldogs she set several Fresno State records. She finished her career as the eighth best scorer in Fresno State history with 1,234 points. She made the fourth most 3-pointers (474) and free throws (293). Perera also had the second best free throw percentage in school history at 80.1 percent.

How Perera played the game of basketball was a great lesson to Wilson, who is now in her senior year at Fresno State.

"She goes out in every game and plays her hardest," Wilson said. "Just go out and play, what is the worst that could happen if you give your all. Another thing she taught me was to just to be myself."

Perera has left a lasting impact on the Bulldog women's basketball program and community. She recently suited for the Melbourne Roos when they played an exhibition game against the Bulldogs in November. When she was introduced to the crowd, the people in attendance at the Save Mart Center gave her a standing ovation.

"I love it here," she said. "I don't think I will be able to stay away for too long."

"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Fresno State women's basketball team wraps up their three game road trip on Wednesday, December 12 against Saint Mary's at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs' next home game at the Save Mart Center is Saturday, December 15 against Cal State Bakersfield at 1 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, by phone at (559)485-TIXS, or in person at the Save Mart Center box office.

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