March 1, 2003
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State women's basketball team got a career-best 19 points from senior Ashonda Williams, but was outshot by 20 percent from the floor, as the Aztecs fell to visiting New Mexico, 64-46, Saturday at Cox Arena. With the loss, the Aztecs dropped to 9-15 overall and 3-9 in conference play, while the Lobos improved to 17-8 overall and 7-5 in league action.
Williams (Crockett, Calif.), playing in her final home game, led the team in scoring for the first time this season, shooting 5-for-8 from beyond the arc. Freshman Ashlee Dunlap (Los Angeles, Calif.) was the only other Aztec to reach double-figures in scoring with 12 points. Junior Nicolette McCartny (Chicago, Ill.) also added 12 rebounds, three steals and a career-best six assists in the losing effort.
San Diego State led just once during the game at 7-6, following a jumper by Dunlap at the 16:42 mark. The Aztec offense, however, went scoreless for nearly eight minutes mid-way through the first half, before McCartny finally ended the drought with a lay-up to make the score 22-12. The Lobos, who hit five, three-pointers in the first half, continued to increased their lead, going up by 17 points, 37-20, going into the lockerroom.
In the second 20 minutes, SDSU was unable to make a significant dent in the New Mexico lead, coming to within 14 points twice at 48-34 and 40-54. The Lobos then finished out the game with a 10-6 run to earn their second victory of the season over the Aztecs, 64-46.
Statistically, the game was fairly even with both teams tallying 13 turnovers and 55 field-goal attempts, with the only exception being in the field-goal percentage column, where New Mexico owned a 49 to 29 percent advantage.
Lobo Jordan Adams led her team both offensively and defensively, tallying a double-double with 18 points and 15 boards, while also recording five blocks. Forward Chelsea Grear (13 points) and Cristal Garcia (10 points) were the other New Mexico players to reach double-figures in scoring.
The Aztecs hit the road for their final two conference games of the season, traveling to Wyoming (Wednesday) and Colorado State (Friday) next week. San Diego State will then take part in the Mountain West Conference Tournament, slated for March 12-15, in Las Vegas, Nev.