Jan. 25, 2002
Game No. 18Air Force (4-13/0-4) at
San Diego State (8-9/0-4)
Saturday - January 26, 2002
Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl (12,414)
San Diego, Calif.
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Tip-Off: 5 p.m.
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 dropped to 8-9 (0-4 MWC) Wednesday as the Aztecs dropped their Mountain West Conference home opener to New Mexico, 58-49. Air Force is coming off a 75-50 lost at UNLV and is 4-13 (0-4 MWC).
In The RPI: San Diego State enters the game ranked No. 160 in the most recent RPI rankings release by collegerpi.com. Air Force is ranked No. 240.
SDSU Coach Barb Smith: Smith (Ohio State '86) is in her fifth season at San Diego State. She owns an overall record of 47-78 (.376) with the Aztecs.
Air Force Coach Ardie McInelly: McInelly (Boise State '82) is in her first season with the Falcons and her sixth as a head coach. She owns an overall record of 81-75 (.519).
Series History: San Diego State is 7-1 all time versus Air Force, including a perfect 4-0 mark versus the Falcons at home. The Aztecs defeated the Academy, 57-30, last season in Cox Arena in the most recent meeting.
San Diego State Closes Out Two-Game Homestand Saturday Versus Air Force
San Diego State (8-9/0-4 MWC) closes out its brief two-game homestand Saturday night, when the Aztecs host Air Force at 5 p.m. The game is the first of a women's-men's doubleheader in Cox Arena. The SDSU men will take on UNLV in the nightcap at approximately 7:30 p.m.
The Aztecs are 8-5 against non-conference opposition this season, but have fallen on hard times since the start of league play, dropping four straight.
Wednesday night, San Diego State lost another tough one, falling to New Mexico, 58-49. The Aztecs spotted the Lobos a 28-point lead before roaring back to close the deficit to just five in the final minute but didn't have enough time to complete the comeback bid.
It was the second conference loss by less that 10 points for the Aztecs, who have looked brilliant at times -- leading UNLV by 17 points in the first half and slicing an 18-point deficit in half down the stretch at No. 20 Colorado State -- but have struggled to put together a complete 40-minute game.
San Diego State will try to get things headed back in the right direction Saturday against an Air Force squad which is also looking for its first league win. The Falcons (4-13/0-4 MWC), who won 4-of-6 prior to the start of conference play, also enter the game looking to snap a four-game slide. The Academy dropped a 75-50 decision at UNLV Thursday night.
The Aztecs lead the all-time series, 7-1, and have won three in a row over the Falcons, including a 57-30 victory on Feb. 17, 2001, in Cox Arena the last time the two teams met.
At Stake For The Aztecs
* The Aztecs are looking to avoid their first five-game losing streak of the season and an 0-5 start in the Mountain West Conference. San Diego State has not opened a conference season with five straight losses since going winless in league play (0-8) during the 1978-79 campaign.
* The Aztecs will also be trying to end a seven-game conference losing streak dating to last season. San Diego State's last MWC win was a 57-30 victory over Air Force in Cox Arena on Feb. 17, 2001.
A Quick Look At The Aztecs
After a run of three straight wins to close out its pre-conference schedule, San Diego State enters Saturday's game still seeking its first Mountain West victory.
Most of the difficulty the Aztecs have had in the last four games have come on the offensive end, where SDSU has shot just 35 percent from the field and averaged only 51.0 points. By contrast, the Aztecs averaged 65.0 points and shot over 43 percent prior to the start of league play.
Still, San Diego State is doing a solid job on the defensive end, holding two of its four league opponents below 60 points.
For the first time since very early in the season, someone other than Atim Otii holds the top spot in scoring for the Aztecs. With her 18-point performance versus New Mexico, Claire Swinbank has now finished in double figures in 7-of-8 games and has taken over as San Diego State's leading scorer with an 11.6 ppg average. The senior has now scored in double figures 11 times this year. She is also second on the team and fourth in the MWC in assists with 77.
Otii continues to lead the way on the inside and is averaging 11.1 ppg and 6.1 rpg.
Two other Aztecs are just one big game away from moving back in to double-digit point territory. Jamey Cox enters Saturday's game averaging 9.2 ppg, while Ashonda Williams is averaging 8.5 ppg.
San Diego State-Air Force Series Notes
* San Diego State leads the all-time series, 7-1.
* The Aztecs have won three straight over the Falcons.
* SDSU is a perfect 4-0 against the Academy in San Diego. The Aztecs' average margin of victory over the Falcons at home has been over 24 points.
* The Aztecs and Falcons have played much closer games in Colorado Springs. In fact, the last two meetings at Air Force were decided by a combined six points.
* Air Force posted its only Mountain West Conference win against San Diego State, defeating the Aztecs 77-72 in Colorado Springs on Jan. 22, 2000.
* San Diego State holds both the highest point total (89, 1997) and largest margin of victory (32, twice) in the eight-game series.
* Aztec head coach Barb Smith is 5-1 against Air Force.
* First-year Falcon head coach Ardie McInelly posted a 1-1 record versus San Diego State while coaching at Idaho State.
We've Got This In Common
San Diego State and Air Force have both beaten Sacramento State and lost to UNLV and New Mexico this season. SDSU split with Sacramento State and New Mexico at home and lost to UNLV on the road. Air Force knocked off the Hornets in Sacramento but was defeated by New Mexico at home. The Falcons also lost at UNLV.
A Quick Look At Air Force
Like the Aztecs, Air Force closed its pre-conference slate on a roll, winning 4-of-6, but has struggled since the start of Mountain West Conference play. The Falcons dropped their fourth straight Thursday night in Las Vegas, falling to UNLV, 75-50.
Overall, the Academy has lost 31 straight games to Mountain West opposition and is just 1-33 since the league's formation with its lone win coming over the Aztecs back on Jan. 22, 2000, in Colorado Springs.
Sophomore Amoy Jackson finished with nine points Thursday night at UNLV and continues to pace the Falcons in scoring, averaging 10.9 ppg. However, guard Latoya Howell has been the Academy's driving force since the start of conference play. The freshman scored 10 points versus the Lady Rebels and has averaged 12.5 ppg since the beginning of league action.
On the rebounding front, Air Force ranks last in rebounding margin (-2.8 rpg) but continues to lead the Mountain West Conference on the offensive glass with 14.5 o-boards per game. Jackson also leads the Falcons in rebounding (5.6 rpg) followed by senior forward Samantha Clifton (4.2 rpg).
Wrapping Up The New Mexico Game
* San Diego State trailed by as many as 28 points but used a 25-6 run in the final 10 minutes to cut New Mexico's lead to just five with 34 seconds to play.
* The Aztecs' 13 first-half points were a season low, as was its 29.2 percent shooting percentage.
* SDSU recorded 12 steals and has now snatched double figures in that category eight times this season.
* The Aztecs committed just 13 turnovers to New Mexico's 24, but but were out rebounded, 44-34.
* Claire Swinbank scored 16 of her game- and season-high 18 points in the final 10 minutes and has now finished in double figures in 7-of-8 contests.
* Atim Otii notched her 13th double-figure scoring game of the season, finishing with 11 points.
The Last Time We Met: AFA at SDSU 2/17/01
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State cruised to a 57-30 victory over Air Force in Cox Arena on Feb. 17th of last season the last time the two teams squared off.
The Academy's 30 points were its second fewest ever and the least scored by an Aztec opponent since SDSU held Hawaii to just 28 back in 1982.
Atim Otii scored 12 points and Tanisha Knight finished in double figures for the only time in conference play with 10 to lead SDSU, which completed a season sweep of the Falcons with the victory.
Rozalyn Russ played the entire 40 minutes and finished with 10 points led Air Force, which was held to a combined 12-for-52 (23 percent) from the field, a season low for an SDSU opponent.
San Diego State led 22-14 after a sloppy opening 20 minutes, before pulling away midway through the second half. Ahead 27-22 with 11:50 to play, the Aztecs outscored the Falcons 22-4 over the next nine minutes to forge a 49-26 lead. That lead grew to as many as 29 points in the final minute of the game before an Air Force lay-up by Amoy Jackson provided the final margin of victory.
Streaking With The Aztecs
* After winning three in a row to close out its pre-conference schedule, San Diego has now dropped four straight to open league play.
* It is the first time this season the Aztecs have lost four consecutive games and it is SDSU's longest losing streak since it closed out the 2000-01 season with four consecutive losses.
* San Diego State enters Saturday's game against Air Force looking to snap a seven-game conference losing streak dating to last season. Overall, the Aztecs have dropped eight in a row to Mountain West opposition, including their 55-49 loss to New Mexico in the 2001 MWC Tournament.
Dangerous In Cox
San Diego State may have lost its last four games-- three of which were played on the road-- but the Aztecs have been dangerous in Cox Arena over the past two years. Dating to the start of last season, San Diego State is 14-7 (.667) overall and 4-4 (.500) versus Mountain West Conference competition at home.
In fact, since the beginning of the 2000-01 campaign, 14 of SDSU's 21 overall wins (67 percent) have come in the friendly confines of Cox Arena.
Statistically, SDSU is averaging over 17 points per game more at home this season and is shooting over five percentage points higher, while limiting opponents to nearly 12 fewer points, a 3.5-percent lower shooting average and almost 10 more turnovers.
Like Deja Vu All Over Again
San Diego State's three-game winning streak to close out its 2001-02 pre-conference schedule improved the Aztecs to 8-5 in non-conference games. It is the same record with which SDSU concluded its 2000-01 non-league slate and matches last year's start as its best under current head coach Barb Smith.
Like last year, the Aztecs took some time to gel out of the gates and closed non-conference play with victories in 5-of-6 games. A season ago, SDSU started out 3-5 before ending its pre-league schedule on a five-game winning streak.
A Sweet Six
With its win over Portland State, San Diego State won its sixth non-conference home game of the year. It is the first time in six seasons that the Aztecs have posted six non-league home wins. Including its victory over the Vikings, the Aztecs closed out their 2001-02 non-league home slate at 6-2, their most pre-conference home wins since SDSU went 6-0 at home in non-conference play during the 1995-96 campaign.
Winning Big
When San Diego State has won this season it has done so in convincing fashion, winning by an average of 17.5 points in its eight victories.
The Aztecs' 22-point win over Portland State was its fourth this year by 20 or more points. Last year, SDSU posted only three wins of 20 or more points for the entire season.
Better On The Boards
* San Diego State has out-rebounded six of its last eight opponents, including UNLV by three in Las Vegas, and Wyoming by two in Laramie.
* Overall this season, San Diego State has out-rebounded 9-of-17 opponents. Last year the Aztecs won the battle of the boards in just 9-of-28 games.
* SDSU posted its largest rebounding margin of the year against Radford, grabbing 41 boards to RU's 24. The Highlanders' 24 rebounds were also the fewest by an Aztec opponent on the season.
* The Aztecs are nearly dead even (-0.5 rpg) in rebounding margin this season. * Last year SDSU finished up -4.1 in rebounding.
* So far this season, San Diego State is 6-3 when out-rebounding an opponent. The Aztecs lost for just the third time when dominating the glass at Wyoming.
Getting Defensive
San Diego State had been ranked among the nation's top defensive teams prior to its trip to Wyoming. The Cowgirls became the first Aztec opponent this season to shoot better than 50 percent. Prior to that game, SDSU had allowed just three of its last 11 opponents to shoot better than 40 percent and had held 6-of-8 below 60 points.
Still, the Aztecs' overall defensive performance in the last 13 games has been impressive as opponents have connected on just 39 percent (267-of-688) of their attempts since SDSU's win over Navy on Nov. 25th.
For the season, the Aztecs have held half of their opponents to 40-percent shooting or worse from the field, including San Jose State (36 percent), Sacramento State, (27 percent -- a season-low for an SDSU opponent), UMKC (33 percent), Radford (30 percent), Portland State (38 percent), UNLV (39.6 percent) and CSU (40 percent) in seven of their last 10 games.
Either Way It's All Good
San Diego State has found it can win with both defense and offense this season. Through 16 games, the Aztecs are a perfect 5-0 when scoring at least 70 points. SDSU is also 6-2 when holding an opponent below 60 points.
The Best Offense Is...
San Diego State has held seven of its last 10 opponents below 60 points, winning five of the seven games. In fact, just three opponents this season have managed to crack the 70-point barrier.
The Aztecs lost for the just the second time this season when holding an opponent below 60 points last Wednesday versus new Mexico, 58-49. It was the second time in three games that the Aztecs had been defeated by that score.
The previous week at UNLV, the Aztecs held the Lady Rebels 13 points below their season scoring average, but still missed the key 60-point mark in a 67-55 loss.
Playing strong defense has been one of the big keys to victory over the past two seasons for SDSU, which is 26-8 (.765) during that span when holding an opponent under 60 points.
Stop, Thief
San Diego State's defensive intensity has been most obvious of late in the steals category. Over the last 10 games -- five of which were SDSU wins -- the Aztecs have registered double-figure steals seven times, and narrowly missed making it eight with nine steals at UNLV. SDSU grabbed a season-high 20 against Radford and 18 versus Detroit to close out its pre-conference slate. The Aztecs are 6-2 this year when reaching double-digits in steals and lost for just the second time this season when picking up at least 10 thefts versus New Mexico. With 10.25 spg, San Diego State opened the week ranked third in the MWC.
Spreading The Wealth
San Diego State has had seven players score in double digits at least twice. Atim Otii leads the way with 13 double-digit scoring games with Claire Swinbank (11) and Ashonda Williams (9) and not far behind. Jamey Cox owns eight double-digit scoring games, while Morgan Vargas and Valencia Howard have three each. Missy Schomaker rounds out the group with two.
Whose Got Next?
Through 17 games, the scoring has been spread around by the Aztecs, who have had five different players turn in high-point honors. Claire Swinbank has paced the team in that category thus far, leading the Aztecs on the scoreboard seven times. Ashonda Williams is one game back and has paced SDSU in six times games.
Swinbank Making Bid For All-MWC Honors
The hottest player in the Mountain West Confernce in the last eight games just may be SDSU's Claire Swinbank. Below is a quick look at the senior's performance over the last month.
* Swinbank, a 6.8 ppg scorer for her career, has averaged 14.3 ppg over last eight games and has scored in double figures seven times.
* In those eight games, the senior has led San Diego State in scoring five times and in assists six times.
* She is also averaging 5.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game over the eight-game span.
* One of the top defensive players in the Mountain West Conference, Swinbank has notched 20 steals in the last eight games, an average of 2.5 per game.
More 'Bank Shots
By scoring in double digits in seven of the last eight games, Claire Swinbank has now scored in double figures in 11-of-17 outings this season and has taken over as SDSU's leading scorer with 11.7 ppg.
The senior is also prominent in the Mountain West Conference rankings and is No. 14 in scoring, No. 4 in assists, No. 2 in steals and No. 4 in assist-to-turnover ratio. Since the start of MWC play, she has been ever more impressive and ranks No. 13 in scoring, No. 9 in rebounding, No. 6 in assists, No. 9 in free throw percentage, No. 2 in steals, and No. 7 in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Poised From The Perimeter
Jamey Cox and Ashonda Williams may get most of the attention as SDSU's top outside threats, but Claire Swinbank as been the Aztecs' most consistent shooter from the perimeter thus far.
Swinbank is hitting at a 42-percent clip from the floor, tops among the Aztecs' perimeter players, including 44 percent (10-for-23) from beyond the arc.
Swinbank is also second on the team in assists with 77 (4.6 apg) and had a career-best nine versus Navy earlier this season.
Offensive Output
Atim Otii continues to be one of the Mountain West's hottest shooters and enters the week ranked No. 4 in the league in field goal percentage. Though she has only paced San Diego State on the scoreboard three times this season, Otii leads the Aztecs in double-figure scoring games with 13, including 11 points vs. New Mexico.
Starts Piling Up For Otii
San Diego State senior Atim Otii made her 72nd consecutive start at Wyoming. She is the only Aztec to start every game over the past two-plus seasons.
Michelle Suman owns SDSU's career record for consecutive starts with 118.
Crashing the Offensive Glass
Atim Otii may lead the Aztecs in rebounding with a solid 6.1 rebounds per game. But when you look inside the numbers the senior's totals become even more impressive. Through 17 games, nearly half of Otii's rebounds (51-of-104) have come on the offensive glass. Her 3.06 offensive rebounds per game ranks fourth in the Mountain West Conference, while her overall rebounding total is just ninth.
Double Plays
In addition to being the Aztecs' second leading scorer, Otii also leads the team in rebounding (6.1 rpg) and in double-doubles (3). The senior recorded double-double No. 3 of the season at Creighton with 12 points and a career-tying-best of 12 rebounds. Otii has also recorded double-doubles this year versus Cal Poly (16-10) and Navy (17-11).
More Than Ever Before
Otii entered 2001-02 with two career double-doubles. She has already exceeded that number this season alone and now owns five for her career. She is the only Aztec to post a double-double this year.
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 37 percent (30-for-82) of her 3-point attempts this season, has hit at least one three in 16-of-17 games on the year. Cox enters the week ranked No. 10 in the Mountain West Conference in 3-point shooting and No. 5 in 3-pointers made per game. She has now made 149 treys during her two-plus year career at SDSU to rank No. 2 all time in that category behind two-time honorable mention All-American Falisha Wright, who knocked down 206 triples from 1992-95.
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 11-of-17 games this year, including a season-high eight against both Radford and UNLV. She now has 87 (5.3 apg) assists this season to rank No. 1 in the Mountain West Conference. Swinbank, who has 77 on the year, has had at least four assists in eight of the last 10 games. She is ranked No. 5 on the MWC assist chart with 4.6 apg.