Jan. 8, 2014
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BOISE, Idaho - The San Diego State women's basketball team suffered its third loss in a row and second straight to open Mountain West play, falling to Boise State by a 73-64 count on the road Wednesday night at Taco Bell Arena.
With the defeat, SDSU slips to 3-9 overall and 0-2 in conference action, while the Broncos notched their first-ever win over the Scarlet and Black in six tries to move to 6-7 on the year and 1-1 in the MW.
Two of the Aztecs' nemeses this season, three-point field-goal defense and turnovers, once again proved pivotal as Boise State connected on 9 of 21 shots from beyond the arc and scored 29 points off 24 SDSU miscues to key its victory.
Despite sinking a season-high 23 free throws on 31 attempts (74.2 percent), the Aztecs were forced to play from behind for much of the game after the Broncos broke a 14-14 deadlock with a timely 25-12 run over the last 10 minutes of the first half to take a 39-26 lead into the locker room.
Individually, SDSU was paced by senior Danesha Long (Long Beach, Calif.), who recorded a career-high 14 points, including a 9-for-11 effort at the charity stripe, while juniors Khristina Hunter (Fairfield, Calif.) and Chairese Culberson (Oakland, Calif.) surpassed the double-digit scoring plateau with 12 and 11 points, respectively. The Aztecs' leading scorer Cierra Warren (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) tied for game-high honors with eight rebounds, but was limited to just 1 of 9 field goals and finished with just five points on the evening.
Conversely, Deanna Weaver was a one-person demolition crew for the Broncos, tallying a game-high 25 points, highlighted by a 5-for-9 performance from three-point territory to go with eight boards and two steals. In addition, Miquelle Askew contributed 13 points and five rebounds, while Yaiza Rodriguez handed out a game-best six assists.
The two sides battled through four ties and three lead changes in the first 9:43 of the game before a Weaver triple put Boise State ahead for good at 17-14 with 10:01 remaining in the period. The Broncos gradually increased the margin to 11 as a pair of Rodriguez free throws provided the host school a 30-19 advantage at the 3:50 mark.
A three-pointer by Culberson and a Hunter basket served as bookends to a quick 7-2 SDSU spurt that narrowed the gap to 32-26 with 1:34 left before intermission. However, the Aztecs imploded at this juncture, committing a foul and three straight turnovers, while the Broncos promptly scored seven straight points, capped by a Weaver layup, to build a 39-26 bulge at the half.
After the break, Boise State kept the visitors at bay and methodically extended the margin to 17 at 62-45 with 6:08 to go in the game following a three-pointer by Keiahnna Engel and a pair of Askew foul shots.
SDSU fashioned a 13-4 run over the next 2:24, featuring six straight free throws by Long to pull within 66-58 by the 2:44 mark, but could draw no closer. Moments later, Rodriguez hit one of two foul shots and quickly drained a jumper after a crucial steal by Engel to extinguish the Aztecs' remaining hopes.
San Diego State returns to the hardwood on Saturday, Jan. 11, when it plays host to Air Force in a MW clash at Viejas Arena. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m. PT.