Dec. 28, 2008
SAN DIEGO - Behind sophomore Paris Johnson's 27 points and 13 rebounds, the San Diego State women's basketball team cruised to a 75-47 victory Sunday afternoon over Sacramento State (2-10) in the first game of the San Diego Surf `N Slam at Cox Arena. With the victory, the Aztecs, who improved to 8-3 on the season, advanced to the tournament finale on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. PT against fourth-ranked Texas, who downed UTEP 79-40 later in the afternoon.
Johnson made 11 of her 12 shots from the field for her fourth 20-point scoring effort of the season. She also matched a career high with 13 rebounds for her fifth double-double of 2008-09, and had three steals in only 29 minutes of action.
Aztec guards Jené Morris (San Francisco, Calif.) and Quenese Davis (Sacramento, Calif.) both scored in double-figures with 12 and 10 points respectively, while adding four steals apiece. Davis contributed a game-high five assists and senior Jennifer Layton-Bailes (Sacramento, Calif.) tallied eight points and five boards.
San Diego State led the entire contest, opening with a quick 5-0 advantage on a Davis free throw and back-to-back baskets by Layton-Bailes. The Hornets didn't get on the board until the 15:54 mark and the Aztecs quickly moved their lead into double-figures at 13-3.
SDSU was up by 12 points at the 11:40 mark, but Sacramento State cut its deficit down to eight on three occasions, before the Aztecs reeled off five straight points to go up by 13 at 26-13.
The Hornets made it interesting, closing to within six points, before San Diego State went into the break on an 8-0 run for the 37-23 advantage.
The Aztecs continued to find the basket coming out of the locker room, outscoring the visitors 16-2 within the first six and a half minutes to go up by 28 points. SDSU would eventually lead by as many as 37 points with 7:14 left before securing the 75-47 win.
The Aztecs shot above 50 percent from the field for the second consecutive outing to garner their fourth straight win. SDSU, which is a perfect 4-0 in the month of December, forced 29 Hornet turnovers and posted 16 steals.
Sacramento State was led by Atty Boyer's 18 points, while Charday Hunt tallied 15 points.
The Aztecs will go for their first Surf `N Slam title in the four-year history of the tournament on Tuesday as they take on their third ranked opponent of the season in No. 4 Texas at 7 p.m. PT at Cox Arena. At 5 p.m., Sacramento State faces UTEP in the consolation game. Both contests will feature live audio, video and stats on SDSU's official website, www.goaztecs.com.