Dec. 7, 2004
RENO, Nev. -
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The San Diego State women's basketball team got off to a quick start, but was unable to match a hot shooting performance by Nevada, as the Aztecs dropped a Tuesday evening non-conference contest to the host Wolf Pack, 74-55, at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nev. The loss snapped a two-game SDSU win streak, dropping the Aztecs to an even 2-2 on the season, while Nevada improved to 3-3 overall, with all three wins coming on its home court.
SDSU sophomore Jessica Huettl (Eau Claire, Wis.) led the team with a season-best 14 points, including a 4-for-6 performance from beyond the arc. Junior Michelle Strawberry (Corona, Calif.) also finished in double-figure scoring for the first time this season, tallying 11 points and a career high six assists. Freshman Ashley Cheesman (Orem, Utah) was first on the team in rebounds for the fourth straight outing, finishing with eight for the Aztecs, who shot 30.5 percent from the field and committed 20 turnovers.
The Aztecs began the game with the hot hand, jumping out to a nine-point advantage at 13-4 on a lay-up by Lindsey Casey (Odessa, Texas) at the 16:22 mark. Nevada responded with a 14-2 run to take an 18-15 lead, before Huettl ended the dry spell with a three-pointer to knot the score at 18-18. The Wolf Pack, which ended up shooting 57 percent from the field in the first half, would break the tie and take advantage of the Aztecs' 13-first half turnovers to head into the locker room up by 11 points at 35-24.
The Wolf Pack continued its momentum into the second half, as SDSU managed just four points to Nevada's 17 with the deficit growing to as many as 24 points at 52-28. The Aztecs then put together a run of its own, beginning with a pair of free throws by Kate Eveland (Southlake, Texas) and continuing with two straight baskets by freshman Marin McCue (Calgary, Alberta).
The Aztec deficit fluctuated between 17 and 19 points, before dwindling it down to as few as 15 points on two occasions, including at 64-49, when Courtney Fritz (Newberg, Ore.) made three straight foul shots with 3:34 remaining.
The 15 points would be as close as SDSU would get, as Nevada earned its first win in the three-game series, 74-52.
The Wolf Pack had four players finish in double-figures, including team leader Meghan McGuire, who tallied 14 points, 12 of which came in the first half.
The Aztecs head back to San Diego for the first of a three-game homestand Saturday against Washington State. The contest is set for a 2 p.m. start in SDSU's second home, Peterson Gym.