Nov. 30, 2013
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The San Diego State women's basketball team received double-digit scoring totals from four players and overcame a nine-point deficit early in the second half to fuel a 71-67 road win over UC Santa Barbara on Saturday at The Thunderdome.
Senior Cierra Warren (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) led the Aztecs (1-4) with 21 points on 9-for-10 shooting and pulled down a game-high seven rebounds, while sophomore Deidra Smith (Aurora, Colo.) added career-best 12 points on 5-of-6 field goal attempts as Stacie Terry picked up her first career victory as a head coach.
In addition, the SDSU cause was aided by freshman Ariell Bostick (Oakland, Calif.), who contributed 11 points, including five clutch free throws in the second half, while sophomore Deajanae Scurry (Los Angeles, Calif.) registered 10 points, six rebounds and two steals.
As a team, SDSU shot a blistering 65.9 percent from the floor, connecting on 27 of 41 shots, including a 70.6 percent clip (12-17) in the second half, while sinking 15 of 20 foul shots to help snap a four-game losing streak.
Still, the Gauchos (3-3) gave the Aztecs everything they could handle and more as the two sides battled through 16 lead changes and seven ties. UCSB drained nine three-pointers on the afternoon, including six in the first half to build a 39-33 lead by intermission.
Nicole Nesbit led all players with 22 points, including a 5-for-8 effort from beyond the arc, while Destini Mason (20 pts) and Melissa Zornig (14 pts) finished in double figures for the Gauchos as well.
With the Aztecs trailing 16-14, Scurry hit a pair of jumpers during a 12-2 run that put the visitors up 26-18 by the 7:38 mark of the first half. However, a free throw by Onome Jemerigbe and consecutive three-pointers by Zornig and Nesbit sparked a 21-7 Gaucho outburst to close out the period.
SDSU committed five turnovers during that stretch, while UCSB sank 6-of-9 shots from the floor, including a Mason triple just before the halftime buzzer.
Following the break, Nesbit added to the Aztecs woes by draining another trey, which provided the host school with its biggest lead of the contest at 42-33 and forced a quick SDSU timeout with just 23 seconds elapsed in the second half..
The sideline huddle seemed to spark the Aztecs, who promptly reeled off six straight points on a pair of Smith baskets sandwiched around a layup by senior Danesha Long (Long Beach, Calif.) to pull within 42-39 at the 17:37 mark.
Mi'Chael Wright converted an old-fashioned three-point play on the Gauchos next possession, but SDSU answered with a pivotal 21-11 surge over the ensuing 10 minutes as a banked triple by junior Ahjalee Harvey (Mountain View, Calif.) provided the Scarlet and Black a 60-53 cushion with 7:37 left. Warren scored 11 straight points during the run, including her first career three-pointer, while UCSB misfired on five straight shots.
Following a media timeout, the Gauchos scored two quick buckets on a Nesbit triple and a Jemerigbe layup to trim the deficit to two at 60-58 with 5:31 remaining. However, the Aztecs kept UCSB at bay and eventually reclaimed a seven-point advantage at 69-62 after Bostick converted an and-one opportunity with just 1:34 left.
Still, the Gauchos managed to make things interesting down the stretch as a quick three-pointer by Zornig and a basket by Nesbit inched the hosts closer at 69-67 with 55 seconds to go. The two teams then traded possessions before Bostick and Harvey each sank one of two free throws during the final 19 seconds to secure the victory. In the interim however, the SDSU faithful was on the edge of its seats as a potential game-tying three-pointer by Nesbit from the top of the key went awry.
The Aztecs continue their road swing on Tuesday, Dec. 3, when they head to the Lone Star State for a clash with No. 12/11 Texas A&M, starting at 7 p.m. CT (5 p.m. PT).