Dec. 27, 1999
Game 10
San Diego State Aztecs (2-7) at Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (3-6) Tuesday, Dec. 28, 8:35 p.m. (MST) Walkup Skydome (7,000), Flagstaff, Ariz.
Game 11
San Diego State Aztecs (2-7) at Cal State Fullerton Titans (0-7) Thursday, Dec. 30, 5 p.m. (PST) Titan Gym (3,500), Fullerton, Calif.
Storyline
? San Diego State returns to the road this week for its final two non-conference road games of the season at Northern Arizona and Cal State Fullerton.
? SDSU opens the two-game swing on Tuesday, Dec. 28 in Flagstaff when the Aztecs take on the Lumberjacks at 8:35 p.m. (MST) in the nightcap of a men's/women's doubleheader at Northern Arizona's Walkup Skydome.
? The Aztecs then return to the Golden State to face the CS Fullerton Titans on Dec. 30. The game, which will also be part of a men's/women's doubleheader, is scheduled to tip-off at 5 p.m. (PST) at Titan Gym.
A Quick Look at the Aztecs
? San Diego State (2-7) snapped a five-game losing streak and picked up its second win of the season with a 51-49 victory over Montana last Tuesday. Shannon Lee?s one-handed runner in the lane with just eight seconds to play provided the margin of victory. The win was the first for SDSU since defeating Indiana State, 53-39, in the first round of the Pacific Bell Classic on Nov. 26.
? After averaging nearly 26 turnovers a game through the season?s first eight contests, SDSU committed just 13 miscues in its win over Montana. It is only the second time this year that the Aztecs have won the turnover battle. SDSU also had fewer turnovers in its win over Indiana State.
? SDSU, which has been close in many games this season, will be out to post back-to-back victories for this first time this year when it takes on NAU in Flagstaff Tuesday. The Aztecs have not won consecutive games since defeating San Jose State, 89-51, and Fresno State, 89-68, Jan. 28 - 30, 1999, respectively, last season.
Aztecs At A Glance
2-7 Overall ? 2-3 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 9/9 9.0 6.7 37.4 F 55 Atim Otii 6-0 SO 9/9 10.8 5.4 31.2 C 23 Mary Apiafi 6-2 SR 9/9 14.7 10.2 33.0 G 15 Shannon Lee 5-9 JR 9/9 5.1 5.3 apg 32.8 G 20 Jamey Cox 5-7 FR 8/7 11.2 2.9 apg 34.6
Complete Roster
Pos No Player Ht Yr GP/GS PPG RPG Min F 50 Kacee Wheeler 6-1 FR 9/2 6.1 3.0 23.8F/C 52 Andrea Kiesling 6-3 FR 9/0 1.2 1.3 7.7 C 30 Robin Hayes 6-4 JR 7/0 0.0 0.3 4.3 G 40 Meredith Magrini 5-6 FR 0/0 0.0 0.0 0.0 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 .396 .267 .712 56.9 35.7 107 76 219Opponents .403 .325 .669 64.2 36.8 139 119 167
Head Coach Barb Smith
? San Diego State head coach Barb Smith is in her third season on Montezuma Mesa and owns a career record of 19-41 (.317). ? 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 NORTHERN ARIZONA
NAU Notes
? Northern Arizona (3-6) enters Tuesday's match up riding a two-game winning streak after knocking off San Jose State, 65-52, and Mississippi, 78-65, to capture the Hilton Garden Inn Classic at home last week. The Lumberjacks had lost four in a row prior to their win over the Spartans.
? Sophomore Bridjette Wickham has been the early-season star for the Jacks. She leads NAU in both scoring (13.0 ppg) and rebounding (9.0 ppg.).
? After leading the Big Sky in shooting percentage each of the last two seasons, NAU has struggled from the field in 1999-00. Through nine games, the Jacks are connecting on just 38.5 percent of field goal attempts.
? NAU is coached by Meg Sanders. Now in her fourth year with the Lumberjacks, she owns a 56-37 (.602) record at NAU.
DID YOU KNOW?
? Northern Arizona was San Diego State's first varsity women's basketball opponent. Women's basketball was first granted varsity status at SDSU for the 1976-77 season. The Aztecs opened that inaugural campaign with a 64-44 victory over the Lumberjacks at Peterson Gym on Nov. 29, 1976.
NAU's Probable Starters
>
Pos No Player Ht Yr PPG RPG F 34 Bridjette Wickha? 6-1 So. 13.0 9.0 C 55 Anna Sturing 6-4 So. 10.0 5.0 G 32 Keiko Yoshimine 5-10 Jr. 6.4 2.0 G 15 Kara Kleinhenz 5-8 So. 10.6 3.7 G 3 Kristi Forman 5-7 Jr. 6.1 2.3 apg
SDSU-NAU Series Stuff
? San Diego State has not lost to Northern Arizona in the previous six meetings. In fact, the Aztecs' average margin of victory versus the Lumberjacks has been nearly 17 points (70.3-53.8).
? Of SDSU's six wins over NAU, two have come in Flagstaff, including a 72-58 victory in the last meeting on the Mogollon Rim on Jan. 3, 1995.
? The Aztecs and Lumberjacks last did battle on Jan. 2, 1996, with SDSU pulling out a 66-61 win in Peterson Gym.
SDSU and the Big Sky
? San Diego State is 17-4 (.810) all time against Big Sky schools.
? Northern Arizona will be the third Big Sky opponent for the Aztecs this season. SDSU is 1-1 versus the Sky this year, including a 51-49 win over Montana and a 72-68 loss at Idaho State.
? Under head coach Barb Smith, SDSU is 1-2 against the Big Sky, with the Aztecs win over Montana snapping a two-game losing streak.
SCOUTING CAL STATE FULLERTON
Titan Tale
? CS Fullerton (0-7) has gotten off to a rough start in 1999-00 and enters the week still looking for its first win of the season.
? A big part of the Titans' struggles this season are a result of youth. Few SDSU opponents this season will be younger than the Aztecs, however Fullerton may be one of them as the Titans start three freshmen.
? Freshman Kandace Hunter has paced the Titans in scoring thus far and is averaging 10.0 ppg. On the boards, senior center Erin Whiteside has been the Fullerton's best and enters the week with a team-leading 5.5 rpg.
? Cal State Fullerton is coached by Denise Curry, who has a 14-46 (.233) record in the three years at the helm.
Did You Know?
From the 1976-77 season through the 1989-90 season, San Diego State and Cal State Fullerton were conference rivals. From 76-77 to 84-85, SDSU and CSF were both members of the Western Collegiate Athletic Association. In 1985, both teams joined the Big West Conference and remained conference foes until SDSU began playing women's basketball in the Western Athletic Conference in 1990.
Cal State Fullerton's Probable Starters
Pos No Player Ht Yr PPG RPG F 30 Allyson Alhadeff 5-10 Fr. 4.3 4.0 F 12 Kristina Naumovic 5-11 Sr. 9.9 3.7 C 22 Kandace Hunter 5-7 Fr. 10.0 2.4 G 42 Heather Cunningha 5-11 Sr. 4.1 2.3 G 34 Megan Baskins 5-5 Fr. 5.7 2.1 apg
SDSU-CSUF Series Stuff
? Cal State Fullerton owns a 17-14 advantage in the all-time series between the Titans and Aztecs.
? Though the two teams have faced each other 31 times, Thursday's meeting will be the first since an 85-44 Aztec victory on Jan. 18, 1994 in Peterson Gym. SDSU and CSUF have not played in Fullerton since a 61-42 Titan win on Jan. 22, 1990 when the two teams both played in the Big West Conference. SDSU joined the WAC in the sport of women's basketball following the 1989-90 season.
? In the 90s, SDSU and CSUF have met four times with each team claiming two victories.
Common Enemies
? San Diego State and Cal State Fullerton have played three common opponents this season--Portland, UCLA and Loyola Marymount--with both teams losing to all three. While the Titans' average margin of loss to the trio was nearly 30 points per game (29.3 ppg), the Aztecs' results were a tad more optimistic as SDSU lost by an average of 11 ppg.
SDSU and the Big West
? San Diego State is 59-69 all-time against current Big West Conference members. However, the Aztecs have winning records against all but two teams -- Long Beach State (3-35) and CS Fullerton (14-17).
? While a member of the Big West from 1985-1990, SDSU posted a 45-43 record in conference games.
AZTEC NOTES
Outside In
? After setting a school record for both three pointers made and attempted last season, the Aztecs are working the ball inside on a much more consistent basis this season. During the 1998-99 season, SDSU made 120-of-389 (.308) treys, an average of just under 15 attempts per game. So far this season, the Aztecs are averaging just over eight attempts a game and have made 20-of-75 (.267) shots from beyond the arc.
? No statistic better illustrates that fact than free throws, where SDSU has made 148 this season while opponents have only attempted 130 -- an incredible number for a 2-7 team that has not been intentionally fouled much late in games.
? The Aztecs lost their biggest three-point weapon, Sophia Sledge, in their season-opening exhibition game. Sledge, who ranks No. 2 on SDSU's all-time career three-point field goals made list with 70, was lost for the season when she tore her left ACL.
Taking Care of the Rock Key
? If there is one area in which the Aztecs have struggled this season it has been turnovers. Through nine games, SDSU is averaging over 24 miscues per game. However, in their two wins, the Aztecs have turned the ball over just 15 times on average.
A Tale of Two Halves
? So far this season, SDSU has looked like two different teams: one that struggles to find the basket in the first half and one that can't seem to miss in the second. In nine games, the Aztecs have yet to lead at intermission, although they have been tied twice (USF and Montana). In fact, SDSU has 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 59 percent of its points after intermission.
Double Dipping
? Through nine games, San Diego State has three players averaging double figures in scoring and a fourth just one point away. Senior Mary Apiafi leads the Aztecs at 14.7 ppg followed by freshman Jamey Cox (11.2) and sophomore Atim Otii (10.8). Junior Anita Bundage check in with 9.0 ppg.. Last season, only Sophia Sledge averaged double figures (10.7) for the season.
Success From the Stripe
? San Diego State ranks third in the MWC in free-throw shooting percentage at .712, a measurable jump over last season when the Aztec shot just .651 from the stripe.
? The Aztecs have made 14 percent more free throws than their opponents have attempted, 148 made by SDSU compared to 130 attempts by opponents.
? SDSU has four players shooting better than 75 percent from the free-throw line, including three who rank in the MWC's top-10. Freshman Kacee Wheeler leads the league at .897 (26-fo-29), followed fellow frosh Jamey Cox who ranks No. 2 at .846 (22-for-26). Junior Anita Bundage at .842 (16-for-19) checks in at No. 9. Senior Mary Apiafi, who leads the team in attempts is shooting .757 (56-for-74).
? Wheeler, who last week ranked No. 5 nationally, made 24 straight free throws before finally missing one against Montana.
Burning Nets
? In addition to having success at the free-throw line, a pair of Aztecs also rate among the conference's best form the floor. Sophomore Atim Otii leads the MWC with a .556 (40-for-72) conversion rate, while senior Mary Apiafi is connecting at a .535 (38-for-71) clip, good for fourth place.
No Rest for the Weary
? With just eight scholarship players on the active roster, six Aztecs are playing over 96 percent of all minutes with four players (Mary Apiafi, Jamey Cox, Anita Bundage and Shannon Lee) averaging over 32 minutes per contest.
Otii on Fire
? Sophomore forward Atim Otii scored 10 points against both Loyola Marymount and Montana last week and has now registered double figures in scoring in five of SDSU?s last six games, including three in a row. Otii also posted the best game of her career during that streak, scoring a career-high 22 points on 10-for-13 shooting (76.9 percent) against nationally-ranked UCLA. Her previous career best was an 18-point outburst last season versus Fresno State.
Apiafi Continues to Shine
? After averaging just 4.8 ppg and 5.7 rpg last season, senior Mary Apiafi is putting up all-conference-type numbers in 1999-00. The Aztecs' leading scorer (14.7 ppg) and rebounder (10.2 rpg), Apiafi has posted five double-doubles this season, including a 14-point, 11-rebound outing last Tuesday against Montana.
? Apiafi has scored in double figures in all but two games this season -- Indiana State and Missouri and -- and ranks No. 6 in the MWC in scoring (14.7 ppg), No. 2 in rebounding (10.2 rpg), No. 4 in field goal percentage (.535), and No. 9 in free throw percentage (.757).
? The senior is also making her presence felt on the defensive end, where through nine games she ranks second in the MWC in blocked shots with 20 rejections (2.2 bpg).
Dishes and Drives
? Junior guard Shannon Lee not only ranks No. 1 in the Mountain West Conference in assists with 5.3 per game, she also proved she can be dangerous when holding onto the ball. Against Montana, Lee scored a season-best eight points, including a running one-hander in the lane with eight seconds to play that lifted the Aztecs to victory over the Lady Griz.
Going the Distance
? Junior Anita Bundage played a full 40 minutes for the fourth time this season against Loyola Marymount. She also went the distance earlier this year against Idaho State, Indiana State and Missouri. For the year, Bundage leads the Aztecs in minutes played with 337, an average of 37.4 minutes per game.
Bundage Breaks Out
? Despite not leaving the court against LMU, fatigue didn't seem to bother Bundage versus the Lions as the junior scored a career-high 18 points on 8-for-15 shooting. She also scooped up six rebounds and swiped two steals. Bundage's previous-best scoring outing came on Dec. 4, 1998 against Detroit when she scored 16 points.
Sudden Impacts
? With only eight scholarship players on the active roster, a pair of freshman are playing significant roles for the Aztecs this season. Point guard Jamey Cox has started all but two games -- she missed the LMU game and did not start versus Montana after suffering a concussion at UCLA -- and ranks second on the team in scoring (11.2 ppg), assists (2.9 apg), and minutes played per game (34.6). She is also SDSU's top outside threat with 14 three pointers on the year. Kacee Wheeler, the team's top free thrower at .897, has made two starts for the Aztecs and is averaging 6.1 ppg and 3.0 rpg.
23 Mary Apiafi
6-2, Senior, Pasadena, CA
SDSU's leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 14.7 ppg and 10.2 rpg...Recorded fifth double-double of the season against Montana with 14 points and 11 rebounds...Had double-doubles number four at UCLA with 15 points and 10 rebounds...Tied a career-high with 13 rebounds against Loyola Marymount...Scored 22 points and added eight rebounds against USC... Posted her third double-digit scoring effort of the season vs. Missouri with 12 points... Was named the first-ever women's basketball Player of the Week in the Mountain West Conference, Nov. 21...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.
53 Anita Bundage
5-11, Junior, Conroe, TX
Started all nine games so far this season and played a full 40 minutes against Portland, Indiana State, Missouri and Loyola Marymount...Is SDSU's leader in floor time, averaging 37.4 minutes per game...Had seven points and nine rebounds versus Montana...Set a career scoring high against LMU with 18 points...Also added six rebounds versus the Lions...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 then-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 Missouri.
20 Jamey Cox
5-7, Freshman, Waterloo, IA
One of the Mountain West's top newcomers...Missed the LMU game with a concussion suffered at UCLA...Came back to score five points off the bench against Montana, including a huge three pointer to tie the game with 3:03 to play...Has scored in double digits in all but two game...Ranks second on the team in scoring (11.2 ppg), second in assists (2.9 apg), and second in minutes played (34.6 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.
30 Robin Hays
6-4, Junior, Los Angeles, CA
After playing in just four games over the last two seasons, has seen action in all but two games so far this year...Played eight minutes, recording two rebounds and an assist against Idaho State.
52 Andrea Kiesling
6-3, Freshman, Helena, MT
Has seen action in all nine games this season...Scored a career-best three points in 15 minutes against LMU...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.
15 Shannon Lee
5-9, Junior, Pasadena, CA
The MWC's leading playmaker with 48 assists (5.3 apg)...Has dished out at least six assists five times, including seven assists against Idaho St., Portland and UCLA...Scored a season-best eight points versus Montana, including the game-winning basket with eight seconds to play...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.
55 Atim Otii
6-0. Sophomore, Denver, CO
The Mountain West's field goal percentage leader at 55.6 percent (40-for-72)...Also ranks seventh in the league in blocked shots (1.0 bpg)...Has scored in double figures in five of SDSU's last six games, including three in a row...Tallied 10 points against both LMU and Montana...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.
50 Kacee Wheeler
6-1, Freshman, Bakersfield, CA
Made first career start against LMU, scoring seven points and dishing out a career-best four assists...Also started and tallied seven points versus Montana...Is the Aztecs' top free throw shooter on the season at 89.7 percent (26-for-29)...That figures ranks also ranks tops in the MWC...Sank 24 free throws in a row before missing her first since the opener against Montana...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.