Nov. 30, 2000
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San Diego State Aztecs (2-3) vs. Alcorn State Lady Braves (0-4)
DAY/DATE: Friday, Dec. 1, 2000
PLACE: Hearns Center (13,300), Columbia, Mo.
TIME: 6 p.m. CST/4 p.m. PST
SERIES: Alcorn State leads, 1-0
WEBCAST: Friday night's game versus Alcorn State can be heard live over the Internet at www.goaztecs.com. Dan Lawton will handle the play-by-play for all road contests with Bill Earley (p-b-p) and Tammy Blackburn (analysis) calling the home webcasts.
San Diego State Storyline
San Diego State (2-3) continues its current four-game road swing this weekend with a pair of games at Missouri's Lady Tiger Classic, Dec. 1-2, in Columbia, Mo. The Aztecs open the two-day tournament against Alcorn State (0-4) on Friday at 6 p.m. (CST). SDSU's second -round opponent will be either Missouri (3-1) or Lipscomb (5-1). Tip times for Saturday's second round action are 6 p.m./8 p.m. (CST).
A Quick Look At The Aztecs
San Diego State enters the Lady Tiger Classic with a 2-3 record on the season...The Aztecs have won two of their last three games, including a 53-50 triumph at Portland State on Tuesday, after getting off to an 0-2 start...After struggling on the road in recent seasons, SDSU has now won two of its last four road games, including its 1999-00 season-ending victory at Colorado State...Junior College transfer Tanisha Knight is the Aztecs leading scorer (13.0 ppg) and rebounder (5.0 rpg)...She led San Diego State in scoring at Portland State with a career-high 17 points.
About Alcorn State
The 1999-00 Southwestern Athletic Conference champions, Alcorn State returns four starters and 13 letter winners from last season's 22-9 squad that advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The Lady Braves are off to an 0-4 start thus far in 2000-01, however ASU played both Illinois and Clemson very close in its last two games. Cherea Wood is leading the Lady Braves in scoring (14.0 ppg) and rebounding (5.5 rpg). Head coach Shirley Walker is in her 23rd season at Alcorn State and owns a 362-243 record.
Series Shorts
San Diego State and Alcorn State have met only once previously. Ironically, it also came at neutral site tournament - the 1989 Coopers & Lybrand Invitational at DePaul. The Aztecs will be out to square the series at a game apiece after the Lady Braves captured the initial meeting between the teams, 67-48, on Nov. 24, 1989.
The Last Time We Met
The Aztecs led 32-28 at intermission after shooting 50 percent from the field in the first half. San Diego State cooled off significantly after the break, connecting on just 25 percent of its attempts, as Alcorn State outscored SDSU 39-16 in the second stanza en route to a 67-48 victory. ASU's Sherlander Lewis led all scorers with 18 points and three other Lady Braves finished in double figures. The Aztecs were led by Lori Lollis, who fished with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Turnovers were the key to the game, however, as SDSU committed 26 miscues to just seven by the Lady Braves.
SDSU Versus The SWAC
In addition to Alcorn State, San Diego State has only faced only one other Southwestern Athletic Conference member, Alabama State. The Aztecs defeated Alabama State, 82-64, at the Nevada-Reno Holiday Classic in 1998.
Hello, Tigers
Wins by San Diego State and Missouri in Thursday's opening rounds would set up a rematch from last year's Pacific Bell Classic played at Cox Arena in San Diego. Tournament MVP Amanda Lassiter had 17 points and 11 steals to lead the Tigers to an 85-61 victory. Jamey Cox poured in 14 for the Aztecs. San Diego State leeds the all-time series between the two schools, 2-1. The Aztecs have yet to face Lipscomb.
Most Recently - Aztecs win at Portland State
Jamey Cox was held without a point for the first time in hear career, but juniors Tanisha Knight (17 points) and Atim Otii (14 points) picked up the slack as San Diego State eked out a 53-50 win at Portland State Tuesday night. The victory was the first in three tries away from Cox Arena this season for San Diego State (2-3). SDSU trailed 28-25 at intermission, before putting together an 11-2 run midway through the second half, including five points by junior Missy Schomaker, to take their first lead, 36-34, since the opening minutes of the game. The Aztecs' advantage grew to as many as seven points with 4:22 to go, but SDSU never could quite put the Vikings away as Portland State's hot shooting - 46 percent from the field - kept them in the game. A pair of three-pointers and a two free throws pulled PSU to within a single point during the game's final minute. However, San Diego State was able to put the game on ice as the Aztecs pulled down three straight offensive rebounds on their final possession and got a pair of free throws from Otii with 10 seconds to play to provide the final margin of victory.
Aztecs in Midst of Brutal Road Swing
When you open with six of you first eight on the road, your bound to have some tough weeks. After a brief, two-games-in-two-days glimpse of Cox Arena last weekend, San Diego State opened a four-game road trip Tuesday night at Portland State. The Aztecs then return home for a short 20-hour layover in San Diego before heading to Missouri for the Lady Tiger Classic at 7 a.m. Thursday. SDSU wraps up the road trip at San Jose State on Dec. 6.
The Road Less Traveled
After winning just once on the road in 1999 and twice last year, San Diego State already has road win No. 1 under its belt this season. In fact, combining last year's season-ending victory at Colorado State with Tuesday's win at Portland State, the Aztecs have won two of their last four road contests, their best four-game road stretch since winning 2-of-4 away from campus to open the 1997-98 campaign.
2-3 Start Best Since 1997-98
Though San Diego State's 2-3 record isn't going to gain the Aztecs any top-25 votes, it is SDSU's best start since the 1997-98 season. The Aztecs opened the 1998-99 campaign 1-4 before notching win No. 2 over Detroit in game five at the Kansas State tournament. Last season, SDSU didn't record its second win until game No. 9, opening the season 1-7 before defeating Montana, 51-49. A win over Alcorn State would put the Aztecs at .500 or better after six games for the first time since SDSU opened the 1996-97 season 4-2.
Records Were Meant to Be Broken
It took nearly 13 years and 394 games, but San Diego State finally broke its school record for field goal shooting percentage versus Illinois State in the opening round of last week's Pacific Bell Classic. The Aztecs, who shot a scalding 68.1 percent (32-of-47) from the field versus the Redbirds, eclipsed the old mark of 65 percent (34-of-50) set on Jan. 19, 1987, versus Hawaii.
SDSU Turnovers Hit Bear Market
After struggling in the turnover department much of last season, San Diego State has been a bit of a Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde team in its five games so far. The Aztecs did a good job of limiting its miscues in the season opener, turning the ball over just 16 times, but committed 23 miscues at Loyola Marymount. SDSU got them under control again versus Illinois State (17), however the turnover bug bit again again against Chattanooga (20). Tuesday night at Portland State, the Aztecs had their fewest turnovers since committing just eight versus Pepperdine on Dec. 7, 1996, as SDSU was charged with just 12 miscues against the Vikings. For the season, San Diego State has sliced its turnovers per game just under five per contest, from over 22 last season to just over 17 in 2000-01. The Aztecs have also had fewer that 16 turnovers twice this year. Last year SDSU had fewer that 16 miscues just once.
Special Service
In addition to taking better care of the ball this season, San Diego State has also made better decisions with the ball. The Aztecs, who lead the Mountain West Conference in assists with 18.2 per game, have already had two games -- Illinois State and Portland State -- in which assists outnumbered turnovers. SDSU had only one game all of last year with a positive assist-to-turnover ratio.
Slow Start, Fast Finish
Through five games this year, San Diego State has shown itself to be a second-half team. The Aztecs, who are averaging 63.4 ppg on offense, have scored an average of 11 more points after intermission through five games this season. The Aztecs' biggest second half swing came at LMU, when SDSU reeled of 17 more points after the break than they did in the opening period. Overall, SDSU has scored 59 percent of its points after halftime.
Stop, Thief
One of San Diego State's most amazing turnarounds this season has been in the steals category. Through five games, the Aztecs rank tied for second in the Mountain West Conference in steals per game at 10.2. Last season, SDSU averaged just 8.5 spg, good for seventh in the eight-team league. San Diego State collected a season-high 16 steals against Montana, more than any game last season, and grabbed another 15 at Portland State. Last year's high for steals was 14 at home versus Colorado State. Two Aztecs -- Tanisha Knight with 11 and Shannon Lee with 10 -- rank among the MWC's top 10 in thefts.
The Three Is Back
After ranking fourth in the MWC last season in three-point field goal percentage, San Diego State has taken over the league's top spot this season through five games, canning 37 percent of its attempts. Sophomore Jamey Cox at 43.5 percent (10-for-23) ranks fifth among individuals with junior Missy Schomaker ranked eighth at 40 percent (8-for-20).
Back To Her Old Tricks
Sophomore Jamey Cox has picked up right where she left off as a true freshman, leading the Aztecs in scoring three of SDSU first five games. Cox opened the 2000-01 campaign with 13 points versus the Lady Griz before scoring 12 against the Lions. She added a team-high 21 in the championship game of the Pacific Bell Classic versus Chattanooga and has now finished in double figures in 24-of-32 collegiate games, including five 20+ point performances. Last season, Cox finished fifth in the MWC scoring race with a 13.7 ppg average. She enters this week's play with an 11.0 ppg average after being held scoreless for the first time in her collegiate career at Portland State.
Holiday Season Starts Early For Lee
The holiday season is a time for giving and SDSU's Shannon Lee has apparently gotten into the spirit early. Last year's Mountain West Conference assist leader, Lee, did herself one better versus Illinois State, dishing out a league-record 14 versus the Redbirds. It was also the fourth-best single-game total in San Diego State history and the most since Michelle Miles totaled 14 against Fresno State on Jan. 21, 1992. SDSU's record holder is Crystal Lee (no relation), who had 16 against Long Beach State on Feb. 1, 1990. Shannon Lee now owns the five best assist games in the MWC's short history. Her league-leading 32 assists so far this season has also moved her into ninth place on SDSU career assist chart with 273.Lee needs just four more assists to surpass Laura Dion (278) for sole possession of eighth place and 20 to overtake Sandy Wright (292) for seventh.
She Can Dish Out The Rock, Too
Claire Swinbank may have scored only two points in SDSU's 53-50 win at Portland State, but the junior more than made up the difference with her passing, dishing out a career high seven assist. Swinbank is the fourth Aztec this season to post at least five assists in a game - Shannon Lee (four times), Jamey Cox (5 vs. Illinois State) and Tanisha Knight (6 vs. LMU) are the others.
Good Knight!
Junior College transfer Tanisha Knight has had an immediate impact on the San Diego State lineup since arrive on Montezuma Mesa. Knight, who made he first career start at LMU, posted a career-high 17 points in SDSU's win at Portland State. The Aztecs' leading scorer (13.0 ppg) and rebounder (5.0 rpg), Knight has also connected on over 82 percent of her free throws (19-for-23), good for seventh in the MWC. An all-tournament selection at last weekend's Pacific Bell Classic, Knight has scored in double digits in all five games this season and also leads the Aztecs in steals with 11 (7th MWC).
Otii Catching Fire
Atim Otii may be playing out of position - coaches have been forced to play her at the five rather than her more-natural four spot - but it hasn't seemed to matter much, as the junior has finished in double figures in three of SDSU's last four games. Otii began warming up at Loyola Marymount, finishing with 11 points. She carried that momentum into the Illinois State game, scoring a game-high 17 before pouring in 14 against Portland State. She enters the Lady Tiger Classic second on the team in scoring with an 11.0 ppg scoring average.
Frosh Looks Fantastic
Freshman Nicolette McCartny's sudden impact on the SDSU lineup continues to roll on. The Mountain West Conference leader in field-goal percentage, McCartny is connecting on over 73 percent of her shots from he floor and is averaging a solid 8.6 ppg. McCartny, who recorded SDSU's only double-double of the preseason, a 13-point, 13-rebound effort versus the NWBL All-Stars, scored 11 points and gathered three rebounds in her collegiate debut at Montana before finishing with 10 points (4-for-5 from the floor) and six boards at Loyola Marymount. In last week's Pacific Bell Classic, the freshman recorded 11 points (a perfect 5-for-5 from the field) against Illinois State then came back the following day to lead the Aztecs on the boards with a team-high six. She enters the Lady Tiger Classic as SDSU's second-leading rebounder with 4.3 rpg.
No Rust Here
Though she hasn't quite been in mid-season form just yet, junior guard Claire Swinbank certainly hasn't look like she had been away from competitive basketball for a year thus far. Swinbank, who had not played since last year's second exhibition, scored a combined 21 points on combined 10-for-19 shooting in SDSU's two preseason games. Though she started slow in the Aztecs' first two regular season gams, Swinbank bounce back versus Illinois State with 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting, including 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. She added nine points in SDSU Pacific Bell championship game loss to Chattanooga.
Scho-Time
Junior forward/guard Missy Schomaker made a splash at both ends of the floor in San Diego State's season opener at Montana. On offense, the Lincoln, Neb. native scored 12 points, nine in the second half, including a pair of treys that kept the Aztecs within striking distance of the Lady Griz. She also dished out three assists and was credited with a steal. However, Schomaker's biggest impact may have come on the defensive end. At halftime she was assigned to shut down Lady Griz scoring machine Lauren Cooper by head coach Barb Smith and held the senior to a pair of free throws during the second half (0-5 from the field). Cooper scored 15 points in the first half on 6-for-7 shooting, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Schomaker has started all four games since, finishing with eight points and five rebounds in 34 minutes of work Loyola Marymount, before scoring seven and five against Illinois State and Chattanooga, respectively, during the Pacific Bell Classic. Schomaker had eight points and a team-high seven rebounds at Portland State.
Ouch, That's Gotta Hurt
It may be early, but San Diego State has already suffered its share of injuries. After missing all of the 1999-00 campaign with a torn left ACL, Sophia Sledge received another setback in practice Nov. 8 when she suffered a broken right thumb. The injury is expected to sideline the senior guard until late December. Junior Missy Schomaker also missed SDSU's second exhibition after suffering a broken nose in practice Nov. 7. Most recently, sophomore guard Nicole Bemi-Morrison suffered a concussion in Monday's workout when she was knocked to the floor by teammate Andrea Kiesling prior to the Portland State game. Both Schomaker and Bemi-Morrison are available for the Lady Tiger Classic.