Nov. 20, 1999
POCATELLO, Idaho - Portland's Sharon Rissmiller sank three free throws with one second to play to lift the Pilots past San Diego State, 50-49, in the second round of the American Dream Classic Saturday night. The loss dropped SDSU to 0-2 on the season, while Portland improved to 2-0 with the win.
"We played with a lot of heart tonight," said SDSU head coach Barb Smith following the Aztecs second close loss in as many nights. "There were many times during this tournament that we could have folded our tents and packed it in. But we didn't do that. There are many things you can teach, but heart is not one of them. We'll get back to work next week and try to fix some of the break downs that we did have. But overall, I'm very proud of this team."
The Aztecs trailed 23-19 at halftime and by as many as eight points midway through the second stanza before beginning to chip away at the Pilot lead. Junior Anita Bundage (Conroe, Texas) got SDSU back in the game, scoring eight of her 15 points during a 10-3 Aztec run that cut the deficit to just one point a 36-35 with 6:55 to play.
After a Heather Reader three-pointer push the UP advantage back to four points, SDSU made its second run of the half, outscoring the Pilots 9-2 to take their first lead of the game at 44-41 with just over four minutes to play. Senior Mary Apiafi (Pasadena, CA), who finished up with a game- high 18 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks, keyed the spurt with four big points for the Aztecs. She then added five more free throws during the game's final minute, including two with just five seconds to play, to put the Aztecs on top 49 -47.
However, SDSU junior Shannon Lee, who dished out a tournament record 14 assists during the two-day tournament, fouled Rissmiller on a desperation three with just a second left in the game, giving Portland the opportunity to pull out the win.
The Aztecs return to action on Friday, Nov. 26 when San Diego State hosts the 1999 Pacific Bell Classic at Cox Arena. Portland State and Missouri tip-off the tournament at 5 p.m. followed by SDSU and Indiana State at 7:30 p.m.
Portland 50, San Diego State 49
Portland (2-0)
Rissmiller 2-4 5-5 10, Reeder 7-19 1-2 16, Green 5-15 3-3 13, Moldenhaeur 2-7 0-0 4, Felts 0-81-2 1, Finch 2-3 2-2 6, Harz 0-1 0-0 0, Asher 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 18-58 12-14 50.
San Diego State (0-2)
Bundage 6-15 2-2 15, Otii 3-10 1-2 7, Apiafi 4-9 10-14 18, Lee 1-4 0-0 2, Cox 3-8 0-0 7, Hayes0-1 0-0 0, Wheeler 0-4 0-0 0, Kiesling 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 17-51 13-18 49.
Halftime--Portland 23, San Diego State 19. 3-Point Goals--Portland 2 (Rissmiller, Reeder),San Diego State 2 (Bundage, Cox). Fouled out--None. Rebounds--Portland 34 (Reeder, Green, Finch7), San Diego State 39 (Apiafi 12). Assists--Portland 11 (Felts 4), San Diego State 12 (Lee 7).Total fouls--Portland 17, San Diego State 13. Att.--118.