Dec. 18, 2001
Game No. 9San Diego State (4-4) at
UM-Kansas City (2-6*)
Thursday - December 20, 2001
Swinney Recreation Center (1,500)
Kansas City, Mo.
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Tip-Off: 7:00 p.m. (CST)
Webcast: For the second consecutive season all San Diego State women's basketball games can be heard live over the Internet at www.goaztecs.com. Bill Earley (p-b-p) and Tammy Blackburn (color) will call all the home webcasts, with Dan Lawton handling the play-by-play from the road.
The Records*: San Diego State improved to 4-4 Sunday with a 72-51 victory over Sacramento State. UMKC enters the week a 2-6 and will play Tuesday, Dec. 18th, at Saint Louis prior to meeting the Aztecs on Thursday, Dec. 20th.
In The RPI: San Diego State enters the week ranked No. 200 in the most recent RPI rankings release by collegerpi.com. UMKC is ranked No. 277.
SDSU Coach Barb Smith: Smith (Ohio State '86) is in her fifth season at San Diego State. She owns an overall record of 43-72 (.374) with the Aztecs.
UMKC Coach Dana Eikenberg: Eikenberg (Penn State '92) is in her second season with the Kangaroos and has a 3-31 (.088) record.
Series History: Thursday's game will be the first ever between the Aztecs and Kangaroos. However, SDSU is 3-0 all-time against teams from the Mid Continent Conference.
Aztecs Close Out Non-Conference Road Slate With Games At UMKC, Creighton
Fresh off its 72-51 thrashing of Sacramento State, the San Diego State women's basketball team (4-4) hits the road for the final time in non-conference play as the Aztecs travel to Missouri-Kansas City and Creighton this week.
The Aztecs open their swing through America's heartland at UMKC on Thursday, Dec. 20th, before concluding the brief, two-game trip in Omaha, Neb., at Creighton on Saturday, Dec. 22nd. Both games can be heard live over the Internet at www.goaztecs.com.
SDSU's win over the Hornets snapped a two-game losing streak and improved the Aztecs to 4-4 on the year, their best start through eight games under current head coach Barb Smith.
The win was also San Diego State's second of the season by more than 20 points as the Aztecs recorded their best defensive performance of the season, picking off a season-high 19 steals, forcing 41 turnovers and holding Sac State to just 27 percent shooting from the field.
UMKC enters the week at 2-6 and will play at Saint Louis Tuesday night before facing the Aztecs on Thursday. The Kangaroos are in the midst of their second three-game losing streak after dropping a 73-62 decision to Tulsa on Saturday (Dec. 15).
A Win For The Aztecs Would ...
- Improve San Diego State to 5-4 on the season.
- Get the Aztecs off to their best start under Barb Smith through nine games. SDSU has not been above .500 after nine games since opening the 1996-97 season 5-4.
- Be the squad's second in a row and the Aztecs' second two-game winning streak of the year.
- Break an eight-game road losing streak and be SDSU's first road win since defeating Air Force, 50-49 on Jan. 18, 2001.
- Even San Diego State's record at 2-2 away from campus this season.
- Improve SDSU to 4-0 all-time versus the Mid Continent Conference.
San Diego State Versus The Mid Continent
Thursday's game may be the first for SDSU against UMKC, but it will be the Aztecs' fourth against a team from the Mid Continent Conference.
San Diego State is 3-0 all time against current Mid Continent members.
The Aztecs have not faced at Mid Continent Conference team since defeating Southern Utah, 77-51, on Dec. 20, 1994. SDSU also defeated the Thunderbirds on Dec. 8, 1990 (89-46).
SDSU's other win over a Mid Continent Conference schools came against Oral Roberts, which the Aztecs defeated, 86-61, on Feb. 23, 1988.
Out Of Our League
Dating to the start of last season, SDSU is 12-9 (.571) versus non-conference competition, including its loss to San Jose State last week.
A Quick Look At The 'Roos
UMKC (2-6) will be out to end a three-game losing streak Tuesday night at Saint Louis before returning home to host the Aztecs on Thursday. It is the second three-game slide of the season for the Kangaroos, who dropped their first three games of the season then bounced back with consecutive wins over Sam Houston State and Lamar.
UMKC returns three letterwinners, including a pair of starters from last season's 2-25 club. But it's been the newcomers who have done damage for the Kangaroos thus far in 2001-02 as freshmen guards Charity Clay (12.6 ppg) and Katie Houlehan (12.0) are the squad's leading scorers. Clay, who stand 5-10, is also the 'Roos' leading rebounder with 5.3 rpg.
Show-Me State Regulars
Following Thursday's game at UMKC, the Aztecs will have played more games in the state of Missouri (3) in the last 12 months than any other state with the exception of California (18) and Texas (3). SDSU played a pair of games last December at the Missouri Tiger Classic.
Noting SDSU's Win Over Sac. State
San Diego State led wire-to-wire in its 72-51 victory over Sacramento State Sunday night at Cox Arena. It is the first time this season the Aztecs have not trailed for at least a portion of a game.
SDSU's 33-point second-half lead was its biggest of the season. The Aztecs ended up winning the game by 21 for their second 20+ point victory of the year.
The Aztecs posted their best defensive effort of the season, collecting a season-high 19 steals, forcing 41 turnovers and holding the Hornets to just 15 field goals on 56 attempts (27 percent).
Three Aztecs scored in double figures, paced by Ashonda Williams' 14 points. It is the fourth time this year the junior has led SDSU in scoring.
Morgan Vargas also scored in double digits with 12 points. It is the third straight game the senior has scored in double figs.
Valencia Howard scored a career-high 12 points.
Claire Swinbank picked off a career-best six steals.
Jamey Cox notched her sixth six-assist game.
Like Deja Vu All Over Again
If the start to the 2001-02 season seems similar to last year it is. And that may be a good thing for the Aztecs. Last season, San Diego State opened the year 3-5 and was coming off back-to-back losses, including a close defeat at San Jose State on Dec. 6, before getting red-hot and putting together a six-game winning streak during the holidays.
This year, the Aztecs started a little better off at 3-4. Still, like last year at this time, SDSU entered the holiday season on a two-game losing streak, including a close loss to SJSU on Dec. 6. However, SDSU may be heating up just in time for the holidays and will look to use its 72-51 rout of Sacramento State as a springboard toward another long run of December wins.
Close Shaves
One reason for San Diego State's dramatic improvement last season was the Aztecs' record in close games. SDSU was 4-2 in contests decided by less that five points. The trend has reversed itself this season as the Aztecs are already 1-2 in games decided by fewer than five points.
Harder Than It Looks
San Diego State may be having its way with opponents in Cox Arena, winning 11 of its last 17 home games (65 percent) dating to the start of last season. However, it's been the exact opposite on the road for the Aztecs. San Diego State enters Thursday's game at UMKC with a 1-2 record away from campus this season, including a neutral site win over Prairie View A&M. Going back to the beginning of last year, the Aztecs have won just six of their 19 road games (32 percent).
Getting Defensive
San Diego State has picked up the defensive intensity of late, holding three of its last four opponents below 40 percent shooting. The Aztecs, who rank fourth in the Mountain West in field goal percentage defense at 39.2 percent, have now held half of their 2001-02 opponents under 40 percent from the field, including Sacramento State, which connected on just 27 percent of its attempts -- a season-low for an SDSU opponent.
Everyone Plays
Head coach Barb Smith was finally able to empty her bench and used all 13 roster players for the first time this season in SDSU's victory over Sacramento State. All 11 Aztecs on San Diego State's road trip to TCU played and scored against Prairie View A&M. However, Nicolette McCartny (ankle) and Tynisha Knight did not make the trip.
Familiar Faces
San Diego State has used the same starting lineup -- Ashonda Williams (F), Atim Otii (F), Morgan Vargas (C), Claire Swinbank (G) and Jamey Cox (G) -- in all eight games this season.
Hot Shots
After hitting on a season-low 33 percent from the field at TCU, San Diego State came back to produce its best shooting game of the season, connecting on 49 percent of its attempts versus San Jose State.
Including its 40 percent shooting performance versus Sac. State, SDSU has now shot at least 40 percent in 7-of-8 games on the year, including three games over 45 percent.
As Easy As One, Two, THREE
One of San Diego State's biggest area of improvement on offense has come from behind the arc. The Aztecs shot a respectable 33.6 percent a year ago but are hitting over 36 percent of their 3-pointers this season to rank fourth in the Mountain West Conference.
Just Shoot Me!
San Diego State is not only more accurate from beyond the arc this season, it is also much more productive. Entering the UMKC contest, the Aztecs are averaging 5.3 3-pointers per game, up significantly from the 3.6 they averaged a year ago.
Whose Got Next?
Through eight games, the scoring has been spread around by the Aztecs, who have had five different players turn in high-point honors. San Diego State has also had six players score in double digits at least twice. Atim Otii leads the way with six double-figure scoring games, followed Ashonda Williams with five, Jamey Cox and Claire Swinbank with four each, Morgan Vargas with three, and Missy Schomaker with two.
Keys To Victory
Scoring may sell tickets, but rebounding and turnovers continue to be the keys to victory for San Diego State. The Aztecs have out-rebounded three opponents and come away winners in all three games. Sacramento State is the first SDSU opponent to out-rebound the Aztecs (45-37) and lose. SDSU is also 3-1 when committing fewer miscues.
60 Or Bust
Over the past two seasons, the number 60 has been key for the Aztecs. When San Diego State has held an opponent below 60 points during the last two years the Aztecs are 22-6 (.787).
The formula has held in seven of the eight games thus far in 2001-02 as the Aztecs held Cal Poly to just 54 points, Prairie View A&M to only 46 and Sac. State to 51 in three victories, but yielded 74 points in their loss at California, 63 versus UCSD, 75 at TCU and 65 against San Jose State.
The only time San Diego State did break form this season occurred versus Navy, as the Aztecs gave up 69 points in their victory over the Midshipmen.
Turnover Bug Back With A Vengence
San Diego State appeared to get a handle on its turnover problem in its three games leading up to the San Jose State contest, averaging just 16 miscues during the span, including a season-low 12 versus Prairie View A&M, compared to the 25 it averaged in the first three games of the year. But the turnover bug was back against the Spartans and in full effect against Sac. State as the Aztecs committed 28 miscues versus SJSU and a season-high 31 versus the Hornets. SDSU is 3-1 this year with fewer turnovers than its opponents and just 1-3 when committing more miscues.
Top O' The Mountain
San Diego State's Atim Otii continues to be the Mountain West's hottest shooter. A career 46 percent shooter, the senior has connected on 62 percent of her attempts from the floor this season (39-of-63), and has scored in double figures in 6-of-8 games.
Offensive Output
Atim Otii's hot shooting has made her the Aztecs' leading scorer. Though she has only paced San Diego State on the scoreboard just once, Otii is the only Aztec to have scored in double digits in 6-of-8 games this year. Her 11.6 ppg scoring average ranks 12th in the Mountain West and is well above her 7.9 ppg career scoring average.
Doubling Up
Atim Otii has already recorded a pair of double-doubles this season, putting up 16 points and 10 rebounds in the opener versus Cal Poly and 17 points and 11 boards against Navy. The senior narrowly missed her third double-double at TCU, scoring 10 points and gathering seven rebounds. Otii entered the season with just two career double-doubles in 82 games.
Piling On
Otii made her 64th straight start versus Sacramento State. She is the only Aztec to start every game over the past two-plus seasons.
Scho-Shines
Missy Schomaker (pronounced SHOO-maker) hasn't yet cracked the starting lineup, but the senior has supplied some solid minutes off the bench thus far.
Schomaker had her best outing in nearly a year versus San Jose State, scoring a team- and season-high 14 points in 26 minutes of work. She has also had solid performances against UC San Diego, scoring a team-high 13 points and grabbing a career-best eight rebounds and against Sac. State with eight points, six boards and four assists in just 17 minutes on the floor.
By Leaps And Bounds
Coaches said Morgan Vargas was going to be the Aztecs' most improved player in 2001-02 and they were right on. Vargas, who made only one start and averaged just over six minutes in 21 games a year ago, has started all eight games thus far and appears to be adjusting well to her new role.
Vargas averaged just 2.0 points per game as a junior but has flourished this season, finishing in double figures in in three straight contests, including 10 points and a career-best seven boards against TCU, a career-high 13 points and a career-best four steals against San Jose State and 12 points and seven boards against Sacramento State. Vargas is averaging 7.4 points per game this season and ranks No. 2 In the Mountain West Conference in blocked shots (1.3 bpg).
Morgan Vargas 2001-02 2000-01Starts 8 1Minutes Per Game 21.9 6.9Points Per Game 7.4 2.0Rebounds Per Game 4.1 1.2Blocks Per Game 1.3 0.4
Mac's Back
After eight long weeks of rehab, Nicolette McCartny is finally back in the Aztecs' lineup. A projected starter entering the season, the sophomore forward suffered a severe ankle sprain in practice Nov. 3rd and has been unavailable for action. She finally saw her first playing time against San Jose State and finished with two points and a rebound in three minutes. She also came off the bench to collect four rebounds, a blocked shot and a steal versus Sac. State. McCartny averaged just under six points and started 13 games as a freshman.
3-Point Threat
Jamey Cox continues to show why she is considered one of the Mountain West's most dangerous players from beyond the arc. Cox, who has connected on 34 percent (16-for-47) of her 3-point attempts this season and has hit at least one three in 7-of-8 games on the year, ranks No. 11 in the Mountain West Conference in 3-point shooting and No. 5 in 3-pointers made per game (2.00). She has now made 135 treys during her two-plus year career at SDSU to rank No. 2 all time in that category.
Five Finger Discount
Senior Claire Swinbank has added a new feature to her game this season ... steals. Swinbank had a career-high six Sunday night versus Sacramento State and now has 20 on the season, good for second in the Mountain West Conference.
More 'Bank Shots
Claire Swinbank has gotten her final season off to a strong start. The senior guard has scored in double figures in 4-of-8 contests, including 13 points versus Prairie View A&M and a season-best 15-point performance at California.
SDSU's top shooter from the perimeter thus far, Swinbank is connecting on over 40 percent of her attempts from the field, including 55 percent (6-for-11) from beyond the arc.
Swinbank is also second the team in assists with 38 (4.8 apg), including a career-best nine versus Navy.
Two Can Play At That Game
In addition to ranking among the Mountain West Conference's top scorers, Jamey Cox and Claire Swinbank are also among the league's top playmakers. Cox has had at least six assists in 7-of-8 games this season and enters the week at No. 2 with 5.25 assists per game. Swinbank, who dished up seven assists against San Jose State and another five versus Sacramento State, is No. 6 with 4.8 apg.
As Advertised
Junior-college transfer Ashonda Williams came to San Diego State with a reputation as a big-time scorer after pouring in over 1,200 points in just two seasons at Contra Costa College. Through eight games, Williams has already finished in double figures in five games and has led the Aztecs in scoring four times, including her 14-point performance versus Sacramento State. She is averaging 9.9 ppg to rank second on the team in scoring.
Bombs Away
For two years, the Aztecs have been looking for an outside shooter to compliment Jamey Cox. It appears that search is now over as newcomer Ashonda Williams continues to knock down shot after shot from beyond the arc.
Williams, who led the California state JC ranks in three-point shooting last season, has been more than solid since arriving at SDSU and trails only Cox in both 3-pointers made (14) and leads the team in 3-point shooting percentage among players with more than 10 makes (38 percent).
In the Mountain West Conference, Williams ranks 10th in 3-point field goal percentage in eighth in threes made.
All Windex Team Candidate
Head coach Barb Smith calls her a "little Charles Barkley." And junior-college transfer Valencia Howard has certainly been a welcome addition at SDSU - especially in the rebounding department. Through eight contests, Howard leads the Aztecs in rebounding and ranks 13th in the Mountain West Conference with a 6.0 boards per game average despite not making a single start.
Adding A Scoring Touch
Howard finally had her break out game on the scoreboard versus Sacramento State. The junior, who averaged a double-double last season as a sophomore at Contra Costa College, scored a career-high 12 points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting from the floor and a 4-for-5 night from the foul line.