Nov. 18, 2013
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SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State women's basketball team was saddled with its third straight hard-luck defeat Monday after falling to the University of San Diego, 48-45, in the annual city showdown at Viejas Arena.
With the Aztecs clinging to a slim 45-43 lead in the defensive struggle, the Toreros' Amy Kame drained a three-point basket from the top of the key to put the visitors up for good at 46-45 with 1:32 left on the clock. SDSU (0-3) had a chance to force overtime on its last possession after USD (3-0) sank two of four free throws in the closing minute. However, Ahjalee Harvey's (Mountain View, Calif.) three-point attempt from the right corner was off the mark, spoiling the Aztecs' 2013-14 home opener.
In a season that has featured a plethora of statistical anomalies thus far, SDSU posted a higher field-goal percentage than its opponent for the third consecutive outing. The Aztecs shot 36.7 percent (18-49) from the perimeter, compared to USD's 31.8 percent clip (21-66). However, the Scarlet and Black was outrebounded by a 42-37 margin, including a 23-9 spread on the offensive glass. The Torereos capitalized on those opportunities, outscoring SDSU 21-8 in second-chance points.
In addition, the Aztecs lost the turnover battle as USD parlayed 22 miscues by the host school into 18 points, while SDSU was only able to muster nine points off 14 Torero blunders.
Individually, the Aztecs were led by junior Erimma Amarikwa (Vacaville, Calif.), who totaled 13 points on 5-of-5 shooting and a 3-for-3 effort at the free-throw line to go with a team-high tying six rebounds. Elsewhere, Harvey contributed eight points, including two triples, while junior Chairese Culberson (Oakland, Calif.) knocked down a pair of threes as well to finish with six points of her own.
The Aztecs led 7-6 at the 14:19 mark of the first half following one of Harvey's aforementioned treys, before USD fashioned a 9-0 run over the ensuing 4:49, capped by two consecutive Brooke Jelniker jumpers. SDSU missed eight straight shots during that span until Amarikwa sank back-to-back layups to help the Aztecs answer right back with a 9-0 blitz of their own. After Culberson buried a three-pointer with four minutes left before intermission, SDSU trailed by just one at 17-16.
However, USD was able to maintain the upper hand in the closing minutes as Kame and Malina Hood converted baskets sandwiched around a jumper by sophomore Deidra Smith (Aurora, Colo.) to increase the lead back to four at 22-18 with 2:04 to go. After the two sides exchanged turnovers and missed field goals, Culberson dialed up from beyond the arc once again with 44 seconds on the clock to give the contest its 22-21 score at the break.
USD built a pair of five-point leads early in the second half, including a 28-23 spread following a Kame jumper with nearly three minutes elapsed in the period. Moments later, Amarikwa finished off an old-fashioned three-point play; senior Danesha Long (Long Beach, Calif.) sank a free throw, while freshman Ariell Bostick (Oakland, Calif.) hit a layup to give the hosts a 29-28 advantage with 14:56 to go.
The two sides fought for strategic control of the game over the next 9:14, with USD maintaining a 41-38 lead following a jumper by Hood at the 5:42 mark. However, Amarikwa scored the next four points on a layup and two foul shots to put SDSU back in front 42-41 with four minutes remaining. On the Toreros' next possession, Smith blocked three straight shots; however, the Aztecs were unable to secure the rebound on each occasion as Kame soon made the hosts pay by nailing a jumper from the right baseline with the shot clock running down.
Smith answered with a basket on SDSU's next foray up the court, while sophomore Deajanae Scurry (Los Angeles, Calif.) hit one of two free throws shortly thereafter to up the Aztec lead to 45-43 with 2:22 left on the lock, setting the stage for Kame's clutch shot.
Kame, who tallied the Toreros' lone three-point make of the night, finished with 16 points to lead USD, while Jelniker chipped in 12 points of her own in the victory.
SDSU will back in action on Saturday, Nov. 23, when it plays host to No. 19 South Carolina at Viejas Arena. Game time is set for 1 p.m. PT.