January 8, 1999
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The San Diego State (3-10 overall, 0-1 WAC) women's basketball team was defeated by the New Mexico Lobos (10-3 overall, 1-0 WAC) in the Western Athletic Conference opener tonight at Cox Arena, 66-53. The loss spoiled the return of team co-captain Charley Murray, who missed the last five games with a stress fracture in her right foot. The senior point guard didn't start the game, but finished with five points in 19 minutes of work.
This was New Mexico's second win in 14 tries and first win in San Diego since the two teams began playing in 1992. The win was fueled by scoring runs to open both halves. The Lobos took a 26-6 lead to open the game behind a full-court press. The Aztecs battled back with a run of their own to cut the deficit to 39-29 at the half. To open the second half, New Mexico went on a 23-6 run, widening their lead to 62-36. Facing the largest deficit of the game, 26 points, the Aztecs went on a 17-4 run and scored the last 11 points to end the game 66-53.
Junior guard Sophia Sledge came off the bench to lead all Aztec scorers with 14 points, 5-12 from the field. For the Lobos, junior guard Sonya Bryant scored 21 points, including nine from three-point range.
The Aztecs return to action Saturday, January 9 when they face the UTEP Miners at 7 p.m. at Cox Arena. The game will be broadcast live on Cox Channel 4 with Mel Proctor and Tammy Blackburn.