Nov. 17, 2003
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State women's basketball finished its exhibition schedule with an even 1-1 record for the fifth straight season as the Aztecs defeated Australian travel team Nunawading Spectres, 71-47, Monday at Cox Arena.
"I'm pleased that we were able to see some growth from the first game to the second," SDSU head coach Jim Tomey said. "I liked the fact that we rebounded better and had a plus-19 margin. They were a smaller team, but we dominated the boards, which is something that we really wanted to do. Getting four players in double-figures also shows that we can spread the offense around."
SDSU had two players finish with double-doubles with sophomore Ashlee Dunlap (Los Angeles, Calif.) tallying 13 points and 18 rebounds and junior Candace Mattson (Alpine, Utah) finishing with 11 points and 10 boards. Guard Michelle Elliott (Pasco, Wash.) also chipped in 11 points for her second straight game in double-figures, while guard Jessica Huettl (Eau Claire, Wis.) poured in 10 points.
The Aztecs led the entire game, going up 29-22 with 4:04 remaining in the first half, before taking control with a 10-0 run over the next 8:20 of the game. SDSU led by as many as 29 points at 65-36 with four minutes left in the contest. Nunawading put together a run of its own to get the deficit down to 23 with 1:37 remaining, but were unable to get any closer, eventually falling 71-47.
Nunawading, which is 0-5 on its tour of California colleges, was led by guard Andrea McMahon's 18 points. Forward Sue-Lynne Khor grabbed 14 rebounds for the Spectres.
San Diego State held Nunawading to 28.4 percent shooting (19-of-67) and 16.7 percent on threes (3-of-18). The Aztecs shot 38.9 percent (28-of-72) and out-rebounded the Spectres, 60-41.
The Aztecs officially kick-off their season Friday against non-conference foe St. Mary's at 5 p.m. The game will be carried on Channel 4 San Diego with Bill Earley (play-by-play) and Jenny Bramer (analysis) making the call from Cox Arena.