Dec. 16, 1999
Game No. 8
Loyola Marymount Lions (3-4) at San Diego State Aztecs (1-6) Sunday, Dec. 19, 2 p.m., Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl Radio: 1170 AM KCBQ
Game No. 9
Montana Lady Griz (4-2) at San Diego State Aztecs (1-6) Tuesday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m., Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl Radio: 1170 AM KCBQ
This Week
? The San Diego State women's basketball team returns home to Cox Arena for a pair of non-conference tilts. The Aztecs, who have lost four straight, open the two-game home stand on Sunday, Dec. 19 against Loyola Marymount at 2 p.m. before taking on the Lady Griz of Montana, Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. .
Aztecs At A Glance
1-6 Overall ? 1-2 Home ? 0-3 Road ? 0-1 Neutral ? 0-0 Mountain West
Probable Starters
Pos No Player Ht Yr GP/GS PPG RPG Min F 32 Anita Bundage 5-11 JR 7/7 8.0 6.4 36.9 F 55 Atim Otii 6-0 SO 7/7 11.0 5.4 29.0 C 23 Mary Apiafi 6-2 SR 7/7 15.9 9.7 33.6 G 15 Shannon Lee 5-9 JR 7/7 4.6 5.7 apg 32.0 G 20 Jamey Cox 5-7 FR 7/7 12.1 3.1 apg 35.9
Complete Roster
Pos No Player Ht Yr GP/GS PPG RPG Min F 50 Kacee Wheeler 6-1 FR 7/0 5.9 3.1 21.3F/C 52 Andrea Kiesling 6-3 FR 7/0 1.1 1.4 7.3 C 30 Robin Hayes 6-4 JR 6/0 0.0 0.3 4.2 G 4 Sophia Sledge* 5-8 SR 26/13 10.7 1.8 20.9* = Tore left ACL in exhibition opener, out for season. 1998-99 Stats.Team Stats FG% 3PT% FT% Pts. Reb. Asts. Stls. TOSDSU .408 .308 .726 58.6 35.3 89 61 183Opponents .407 .330 .679 66.7 37.1 114 99 130
A Quick Look at the Aztecs
? San Diego State seeks its second win of the season after dropping four straight. The Aztecs have not tasted victory since knocking off Indiana State, 53-39, on Nov. 26 in the first round of the Pacific Bell Classic.
? The Aztecs dropped their sixth game of the season and fourth in a row, 82-61, at then-No. 8 UCLA last Thursday.
? After a solid first half that saw SDSU trail by just nine points a minute before intermission, the Aztecs came out cold following the break as UCLA built a 29-point lead. SDSU finally made a run midway through the period, outscoring the Bruins 16-4 to pull within 17 points.
? Atim Otii led the Aztecs with a career-high 22 points. Mary Apiafi scored 15 points and gathered 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season.
? Despite their record, San Diego State is shooting the ball much better from the field of late. In the last two games (USC/UCLA), the Aztecs have shot a combined 47.6 percent (40-for-84) from the floor. Entering its Dec. 4 game versus USC, SDSU had shot just 38.1 percent (94-for-247).
? The Aztecs are the Mountain West Conference's top free-throw shooting team at 72.6 percent (122-for-168).
? Through seven games, San Diego State has three players averaging double figures in scoring: senior Mary Apiafi (15.9), freshman Jamey Cox (12.1), and sophomore Atim Otii (11.0). Last season, only Sophia Sledge averaged double figures (10.7).
Head Coach Barb Smith
? San Diego State head coach Barb Smith is in her third season on Montezuma Mesa and owns an 18-40 career record.
? Prior to taking over as SDSU's fifth head coach in 1997, Smith spent nine years as the top assistant at the University of Colorado. During her tenure at CU, the Buffaloes won an average of 24 games per season, five Big 8 Conference championships and made eight NCAA Tournament appearances.
? She is a 1986 graduate of The Ohio State University, where she was a four-year starter at point guard and led the Buckeyes to three NCAA berths.
SCOUTING LOYOLA MARYMOUNT
Lion Ledger
? Loyola Marymount enters Sunday's game with a 3-4 record after knocking off Cal Poly SLO, 77-60, Wednesday night. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Lions.
? Sophomore guard Bryn Britton is LMU's leading scorer averaging 17.7 ppg. Forward Dana Hunter is averaging 9.3 rebounds a game to pace the Lions on the boards.
? The Lions are averaging 76.3 points in their three wins this season. Conversely, LMU has averaged just 61.5 points in their three losses.
? LMU is led by head coach Julie Wilhoit, who is in her fifth season with the Lions. She owns a 31-85 record.
LMU's Probable Starters
Pos No Player Ht Yr PPG RPG F 12 Dana Hunter 6-3 Sr. 10.7 9.3 F 55 Amber Gravely 6-0 Jr. 4.7 4.0 G 24 Rosa Bernasconi 5-6 So. 14.4 5.8 G 25 Bryn Britton 5-11 So. 17.7 2.8 G 5 Taryn Reynolds 5-7 Jr. 6.9 3.9 apg
SDSU-LMU Series History
? Sunday's game will be the fifth between SDSU and LMU but the first since Dec. 17, 1994, a 72-32 Aztec victory in Peterson Gym.
? The Aztecs, who have yet to lose to the Lions, lead the series 4-0. In fact, SDSU has outscored LMU by an average of nearly 20 point per game (64.0-45.0).
? San Diego State is 46-12 (.793) all time against teams from the West Coast Conference, including two losses (Portland, San Francisco) this season.
SCOUTING MONTANA
Lady Griz Lowdown
? Montana enters the week with a 4-2 record and travels to MWC foe Brigham Young prior to playing the Aztecs Tuesday night in Cox Arena.
? The Lady Griz received three votes in this weeks ESPN/USA Today/WBCA poll. It is the second time in three weeks that Montana has made an appearance in the poll.
? Junior forward Lauren Cooper is Montana's leading scorer. She averages 13.0 points per game. On the boards, senior forward Linda Weyler and been the Lady Griz's most productive rebounder with 7.0 per contest.
? Montana is coached by 21 year head man Robin Selvig. His record at Montana is 497-133.
Montana's Probable Starters
Pos No Player Ht Yr PPG RPG F 10 Lauren Cooper 6-0 Jr. 13.0 4.8 F 45 Linda Weyler 6-1 Sr. 8.0 7.8 C 25 Krista Redpath 6-1 Sr. 12.2 3.5 G 12 Cheryl Keller 5-8 So. 6.5 4.2 G 24 Megan Harrington 5-7 Sr. 4.8 4.0 apg
SDSU-UM Series History
? Tuesday's game with Montana will be only the second all time between the Aztecs and the Lady Griz.
? SDSU and UM's first meeting was in the opening round of the 1995 NCAA Tournament at Peterson Gym. Montana came away with a 57-46 victory.
? San Diego State is 16-4 (.800) all time against Big Sky schools, including 0-1 this season.
AZTEC NOTES
It's L.A. Again
? Sunday's game against LMU will be the third in a row, and fourth this season, against a Los Angeles-based school. SDSU travels north on Dec. 30 to face Cal State Fullerton for its final game against a team from the L.A. basin. San Diego State has three players on its roster who hail from the Los Angeles area - Mary Apiafi (Pasadena), Shannon Lee (Pasadena) and Robin Hayes (Los Angeles).
Doubling Up
? Through seven games, San Diego State has three players averaging double figures in scoring: senior Mary Apiafi (15.9), freshman Jamey Cox (12.1), and sophomore Atim Otii (11.0). Last season, only Sophia Sledge averaged double figures (10.7).
Just Wait for the Second Half
? The Aztecs have scored more points in the second half of every game except one this season - SDSU scored 29 points in both halves at San Francisco. For the year, SDSU has scored 58.3 percent of its points after intermission.
Shooting Percentage on the Rise
? After shooting 39.5 percent from the field a year ago, the Aztecs have upped that number to 40.8 percent through seven games this year. In fact, the Aztecs have shot over 40 percent in three of their last four games, including 50 percent (18-for-36) against USC and 48 percent (24-for-50) at UCLA.
? Three Aztecs are shooting at a better than 50-percent clip. Senior Mary Apiafi, who is also SDSU's leading scorer, is at .579 (45-for-58) followed by sophomore Atim Otii at .561 (32-for-57). The Aztecs' team leader is freshman Andrea Kiesling (.667, 4-for-6), who doesn't shoot much, but has made nearly everyone count.
You Gotta Hit Your Free Throws
? The Aztecs are also shooting much better than a year ago from the free-throw line. Last season, SDSU shot just 65.1 percent from the strip. This year, that number has risen to 72.6 percent (122-for-168), tops in the Mountain West Conference.
? SDSU has made 15 percent more free throws than their opponents have even taken, 122 made by the Aztecs compared to 106 attempted by opponents.
? Four Aztecs are averaging over 77 percent from the foul line this season, including Kacee Wheeler (23-24, .958), Anita Bundage (15-17, .882), Jamey Cox (20-24, .833), and Mary Apiafi (45-58, .776).
? San Diego State has four of the top eight players in the MWC in free throw shooting percentage: Wheeler (1), Bundage (3), Cox (5), Apiafi (8).
No Rest for the Weary
? With just eight players on the active roster, six Aztecs are playing 94.1 percent of all minutes with four players (Mary Apiafi, Jamey Cox, Anita Bundage and Shannon Lee) averaging over 32 minutes per contest.
Best Against Bruins
? Sophomore forward Atim Otii had the best game of her career last week against the nationally-ranked UCLA Bruins, scoring a career-high 22 points on 10-for-13 shooting (76.9 percent) from the field.
? After tallying just three buckets on the first half, Otii opened the second stanza on fire, scoring SDSU's first eight points of the period en route to a 16-point half. It is the fourth time she has scored in double figures this season. Otii also added a pair of free throws and two blocks. Her previous career high was an 18-point outburst last season versus Fresno State.
Apiafi Continues to Shine
? Senior center Mary Apiafi registered her fourth double-double in seven games with 15 points and 10 rebounds versus the Bruins. Apiafi has now scored in double figures in all but one game this season (vs. Indiana State).
? Apiafi ranks No. 4 in the MWC in scoring (15.9 ppg) and No. 2 in rebounding (9.7 rpg), both team bests.
? The senior is also shooting 57.9 percent from the floor (33-for-57) and 77.6 percent from the free-throw line (45-for-58)
? Mary Apiafi is also making her presence felt on the defensive end. Through seven games, the senior has rejected 19 shots (2.7 bpg). That figure is No. 10 in the nation and tops in the Mountain West Conference.
Just Call Her Swoosh (No Offense Nike)
? With her two free throws against UCLA, freshman guard/forward Kacee Wheeler has now connected on 22 straight. Wheeler, who as made 23-of-24 ft attempts (95.8 percent) this year, has not missed a foul shot since the season opener against Idaho State and is ranked fifth in the nation in free throw percentage.
She's Tops - In Assists
? Junior guard Shannon Lee dished out another six assists against and now has 40 for the season (5.7 apg), tops in the Mountain West Conference. It is her fourth game this year with at least six assists. Lee opened the year with back-to-back seven assist games against Idaho State and Portland.
Making Her Point
? Freshman Jamey Cox just may be emerging as one of the top newcomers in the Mountain West Conference. She has started all seven games at the point for SDSU and has notched double figures in scoring six times.
? Cox ranks second on the team in scoring (12.1 ppg), second in assists (3.1 apg), and second in minutes played (35.9 mpg). She is also shooting over 40 percent from the arc.
Mary Apiafi
6-2, Senior, Pasadena, Calif.
SDSU's leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 15.9 ppg and 9.7 rpg...Has posted four double-doubles this season, including a 15-point, 10-rebound performance in SDSU's last outing at UCLA...Scored 22 points and added eight rebounds against USC...Was named the first-ever women's basketball Player of the Week in the Mountain West Conference, Nov. 21...Posted her third double-digit scoring effort of the season vs. Missouri with 12 points...Notched double-doubles in both games at the American Dream Classic with a career-best 23 points and 13 boards against Idaho State and 18 points and 12 rebounds against Portland...Performance versus Idaho State was first career double-double.
Anita Bundage
5-11, Junior, Conroe, Texas
Started all seven games so far this season and played a full 40 minutes against Portland, Indiana State and Missouri...Is SDSU's leader in floor time, averaging 36.9 minutes per game...Tied a career-high in rebounds with 14 against San Francisco...Finished the Portland game with 15 points and eight rebounds...Her 15 points vs. the Pilots were just one shy of tying a career high...Scored eight points and had three boards in the season opener against Idaho State...Scored six points against both Indiana State and Missouri...Dished out a career-best four assists versus MU.
Jamey Cox
5-7, Freshman, Waterloo, Iowa
One of the Mountain West's top newcomers...Has scored in double digits in all but one game...Ranks second on the team in scoring (12.1 ppg), second in assists (3.1 apg), and second in minutes played (35.9 mpg)...Is shooting over 40 percent from three-point range, connecting on 13-of-32 (.406) shots...Scored 10 points at UCLA and 11 points against both USF and USC...Selected to the all-tournament team at the 1999 Pacific Bell Classic...Was SDSU's leading scorer in both games with 16 points versus Indiana State and 14 against Missouri...Finished 4-of-6 from the field against MU, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc...Also knocked down three treys versus Indiana State...Scored 16 points and dished out four assists in her first-ever collegiate start at Idaho State...Scored seven points, including a big trey during SDSU's 10-3 run late in the game vs. Portland...Also recorded five steals against the Pilots.
Robin Hays
6-4, Junior, Los Angeles, Calif.
After playing in just four games over the last two seasons, has seen action in all but one game so far this year...Played eight minutes, recording two rebounds and an assist against Idaho State.
Andrea Kiesling
6-3, Freshman, Helena, Mont.
Has seen action in all seven games this season...Played 11 minutes and scored her first points in the opener at Idaho State...Also had a rebound against the Bengals...Had two points and three rebounds in 10 minutes of work against Indiana State...scored two points and had a career-best three rebounds against UCLA...Hasn't shot much but has made nearly every on count as she is 4-for-6 from the field this season.
Shannon Lee
5-9, Junior, Pasadena, Calif.
The Aztecs leading playmaker with 40 assists (5.7 apg)...Has dished out at least six assists five times, including seven assists against Idaho St., Portland and UCLA...Also had four points in opener against ISU...Tallied another six assists and had a season-best seven points against Indiana State...Had six points and six assists versus USC...Registered five steals vs. Missouri.
Atim Otii
6-0, Sophomore, Denver, Colo.
Ranks second on the team and third in the MWC in field goal percentage at 56.1 percent (32-for-57)...Also ranks four the league in blocked shots (1.1 bpg)...Has scored in double figures in four of seven games...Scored a career best 22 points at UCLA on 10-for-13 shooting in 33 minutes of work...Had a then-season-best 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting against Idaho State in season opener...Came back with seven points and eight boards vs. Portland in 35 minutes of action...Had 10 points and six boards against Missouri and 11 points and seven caroms vs. USF.
Kacee Wheeler
6-1, Freshman, Bakersfield, Calif.
SDSU's first player off the bench...Is the Aztecs' top free throw shooter on the season at 95.8 percent (23-for-24), including a current streak of 22 in a row...That figures ranks tops in the MWC and No. 5 in the nation...Played 24 minutes and had three points and three rebounds in season opener at Idaho State...Finished in double figures in both games of Pacific Bell Classic...Scored 11 points against Indiana St...Came back to tally a season-high 12 points against Missouri...Also gathered a career-best five rebounds against the Tigers...Shot a perfect 16-for-16 from the free throw line in the two games.