Dec. 27, 2013
SAN DIEGO - Following a nine-day layoff for the Christmas holiday, the San Diego State women's basketball team returns to the hardwood on Saturday when it opens the ninth annual San Diego Surf `N Slam against UC Riverside, beginning at 2 p.m. PT inside Viejas Arena. A live video stream via the Mountain West Network will be available at www.goaztecs.com.
Despite their relative proximity, the Aztecs (2-6) and Highlanders (4-7) have faced each other just six times in varsity competition, with SDSU holding a 4-2 lead in the all-time series.
Saturday's second game will pit Kansas State (5-4) against North Carolina State (11-1), starting at 4:30 p.m. PT. The Wolfpack are receiving votes in both national polls this week.
If SDSU defeats UC Riverside, it would play in the championship final on Monday against either K-State or NC State, beginning at 6 p.m. PT. Should the Aztecs falter against the Highlanders, they would tip off in Monday's consolation game, starting at 3:30 p.m. PT.
SDSU is coming off an impressive 75-64 victory over Miami (OH) on Dec. 19 for its first home win of the 2013-14 campaign.
Against the RedHawks, junior Khristina Hunter registered her second career double-double, scoring a collegiate-best 20 points to go with a season-high 12 rebounds. The Aztecs also received a career-best 16 points and seven steals from junior Ahjalee Harvey, while senior Cierra Warren and sophomore Deidra Smith posted 10 points apiece.
Warren has connected on 60 percent of her field-goal attempts (45-75), which tops the Mountain West and ranks 17th in the nation entering the week. The SDSU center is averaging a team-best 14.4 points per game and has broken the 20-point barrier on three occasions.