Dec. 1, 2000
COLUMBIA, Mo. - If learning how to win when your not playing your best is a stepping stone to becoming a good team then the Aztecs are well on their way.
After struggling out of the gates for the second straight game, San Diego State roared to life in the second half, shooting a scalding 67 percent from the field en route to a 60-43 victory over Alcorn State in the opening round of the Unilever Lady Tiger Classic Friday night.
The victory was the second straight away from Montezuma Mesa for San Diego State (3-3), a first for the Aztecs under fourth-year head coach Barb Smith.
"The last couple of games our defense has just been outstanding and tonight was no exception," said Smith. "We struggled again early on offense but we were holding strong on the defensive end, which kept us in the game until our offensive could get going."
And get going it did. After scoring its fewest first-half points of the season and leading 20-16 at the break, SDSU exploded for 40 after intermission, including a six minute span midway through the period in which the Aztecs outscored the Alcorn State (0-5) 16-4, turning a two-point deficit into a 10 point lead with 9:11 to play.
The Lady Braves pulled to within six with 3:35 but never scored again as the Aztecs tallied the game's final nine points to provide the final margin of victory.
SDSU freshman Nicolette McCartny showed why she's the Mountain West Conference's field goal percentage leader, finishing with a game- and season-high 17 points on 7-for-8 shooting. Junior Tanisha Knight was the only other Aztec to finish in double figures with 12.
"We've had different people step up an lead us in scoring all year long," Smith said. "Tonight it was Nicolette. She was the difference inside for us."
But it didn't start out that way as the two teams combined to make just three of their first 20 combined attempts. San Diego State was the first to settle in, putting together a 9-2 run to take a 16-10 lead 4:48 before intermission. Alcorn State, however never quite going as the Aztecs held the Lady Braves to just 25 percent shooting from the field and forced 24 turnovers.