Jan 17, 2002
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - San Diego State forced the tempo it wanted but couldn't take advantage of its offensive opportunities as the Aztecs dropped a 58-49 decision to No. 20 Colorado State before 2,163 in Moby Arena Thursday night.
The Aztecs had more looks at the basket despite being out rebounded by the nationally-ranked Rams, but shot only 36 percent from the field.
Another key to the game was free thows. Colorado State made 22 of its 32 attempts, while the San Diego State was just 2-for-8.
"One of our goals was to limit (Colorado State's) free throw opportunities since they are such a good foul-shooting team," said SDSU head coach Barb Smith. "We just put them on the line too many times and that proved to be the difference in the game."
Atim Otii scored all of her 15 points in the second half and was the only Aztec to finish in double digits for San Diego State (8-7, 0-2 MWC), which was held to its lowest point total of the season.
Angie Gorton led all scorers with 16 points as Colorado State (14-3, 3-0 MWC) won its fourth straight game.
Colorado State led the entire way and built a 19-point with just over five minutes to play before Otii, who has now scored in double figures in 12-of-15 games this season, almost single-handedly brought the Aztecs back.
Otii scored on five straight possessions and Claire Swinbank and Jamey Cox hit 3-pointers in the games final minute to slice the Rams' lead to single digits.
But it was too little, too late for the Aztecs, who trailed 32-20 at intermission and by 16 points just over three minutes into the second half.
"We really wanted to push the ball up the floor and push it inside," said Smith. "But we really couldn't get it going. We just couldn't get in sync and find a rhythm. It just didn't go our way tonight."
Otii also led San Diego State on the glass, pulling down nine rebounds, while Claire Swinbank finished with a career-high eight.
Cold shooting hurt the Aztecs early in the game as San Diego State connected on just two of its first 10 shots. The result was a seven-point Colorado State lead midway through the period.
However, just when it appeared the contest might get away from the Aztecs, freshman Heather Wolf came off the bench to stroke back-to-back 3-pointers followed by an Ashonda Williams trey to pull San Diego State back even with the Rams.
But the run wouldn't last for the Aztecs, who could muster only a Morgan Vargas free throw during the final five minutes of the period as Colorado State scored 10 of the half's final 11 points.
San Diego State returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 19th, when the Aztecs meet Wyoming in Laramie. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. (MST/1 p.m. PST). The game can be heard live over the Internet at www.goaztecs.com.