Nov. 24, 2012
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BOULDER, Colo. - The San Diego State women's basketball team was unable to extend an early nine-point lead on Saturday as the Aztecs dropped a 67-53 decision to host Colorado in the championship final of the 2012 Omni Hotels Classic at Coors Event Center.
With the loss, SDSU (3-2) saw its three-game winning streak come to a halt, while the Buffaloes (4-0) kept their unblemished record intact.
Courtney Clements reached double figures for the fourth straight contest after finishing with a game-high 19 points on 9-of-17 shooting, while Erimma Amarikwa contributed 11 points of her own, including a 7-for-8 effort at the free-throw line.
The remainder of the Aztec lineup was limited to just six field goals, however, as Colorado scored 23 points off 21 SDSU turnovers and maintained a 37-30 spread in rebounds.
Still, things looked good for the Aztecs early in the first half as a Malia Nahinu layup at the 14:54 mark provided the visitors a 14-5 cushion, until the Buffaloes uncorked a 13-2 run over the next 8:49 to grab an 18-16 advantage. SDSU connected on just one of nine shots during that span and committed six turnovers.
After the two sides exchanged free throws, Clements drained a pair of jumpers to give the Aztecs their last lead of the night at 21-19 with 3:41 left before intermission. However, Colorado closed with a 9-2 spurt, featuring 3-pointers by Arielle Roberson and Meagan Malcom-Peck, to take a 28-23 lead into the locker room.
Following the break, the Buffaloes kept the momentum as a Roberson layup widened the margin to 35-25 by the 16:04 mark. SDSU twice managed to cut the deficit to six, including a 37-31 spread after a Deajanae Scurry basket with14:21 to go. But Colorado responded with an old fashioned three-point play by Chucky Jeffery, while Jen Reese added a jumper to restore the Buffaloes' double-digit lead just over a minute later.
Two Gabrielle Clark foul shots pulled the Aztecs to within 52-44 at the 4:36 mark, but a Jeffery drove in for a layup on the ensuing possession and SDSU never threatened again.
Three Buffalo players finished in double figures, including Roberson (17 pts.), Reese (14 pts.), who also notched a game-high nine rebounds and Jeffery (12 pts.).
Following the game, Clements was selected to the all-tournament team, along with Roberson, who was named most valuable player, Jeffery, Tyrese Tanner of Auburn and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's Janae Blount.
The Aztecs return to the court on Friday, Nov. 30, when they play host to USC at Viejas Arena beginning at 7 p.m.