Nov. 21, 2014
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GREENVILLE, S.C. - The visiting San Diego State women's basketball team struggled to find its offensive rhythm on Friday, dropping a 60-43 decision to Furman at Timmons Arena. For the second straight outing, the Aztecs were unable to overcome a substantial first-half run by the opposition as the Lady Paladins used a 21-9 surge over a 10-plus minute span to seize control of the game.
With the loss, SDSU falls to 1-2 overall, while Furman remains unbeaten at 3-0 on the young season.
The Aztecs shot 31 percent from the field (17-55), including a 15 percent clip from three-point range (2-13), while connecting on just 7 of 15 free throws (47 percent). The Lady Paladins fared slightly better from the floor, converting 21 of 55 their attempts (38 percent). However, the host school went 14-for-20 from the foul line and sank four triples to help keep the Scarlet and Black at bay.
Individually, freshman McKynzie Fort (Fontana, Calif.) was the lone SDSU player to reach double figures, tying for game-high honors with 13 points off the bench, while senior Desi Culberson (Oakland, Calif.) and junior Ahjalee Harvey (Mountain View, Calif.) chipped in seven points apiece. Despite combining for 15 rebounds, senior Khristina Hunter (Fairfield, Calif.) and junior Erimma Amarikwa (Vacaville, Calif.) found difficulty in the middle, scoring just six points between them.
On the flip side, Furman had three competitors finish in double figures, led by Holli Wilkins, who finished with 13 points on 6-of-12 shooting, followed closely by Brittany Hodges (11 pts.) and Sarah Durdaller (10 pts.). Hodges logged her second double-double of the year after grabbing 11 rebounds, while Whitney Bunn dished out a game-high seven assists.
After missing seven of their first nine shots, the Aztecs fought themselves off the ropes as Culberson and junior Deidra Smith (Aurora, Colo.) scored four points each during an 8-0 run to give the visitors a 12-8 advantage with 9:49 left in the period. However, the Lady Paladins quickly stole SDSU's thunder with three straight baskets in just 35 seconds to take the lead for good at 14-12.
Furman gradually stretched the margin to 29-19 over the ensuing nine minutes, following a Durdaller basket and a Bunn free throw with 14 seconds to go on the clock. In the interim, the Aztecs were limited to just two field goals and three foul shots, until freshman Cheyenne Greenhouse (Riverside, Calif.) broke free for a layup just before time expired to give the contest its 29-21 score at intermission.
However, any hopes for an SDSU comeback were soon dashed in the opening four minutes of the second half when Furman fashioned a 10-3 spurt to build a commanding 39-24 advantage. Two treys by Allison Beasley served as bookends to the run, which also included consecutive baskets by Wilkins and Hodges.
The Aztecs trimmed the deficit to 39-28 shortly thereafter on a layup by Fort and two Harvey free throws with 15:13 remaining. However, the Lady Paladins soon countered with back-to-back jumpers by Durdaller and Wilkins, and SDSU never threatened again. Despite maintaining a 24-15 edge in bench scoring, the Aztecs were outrebounded by a 42-37 margin, while Furman converted 17 SDSU turnovers into 13 points.
The Aztecs continue their season-long nine-day road trip on Sunday, when they take on No. 2/3 South Carolina at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C. Game time is set for 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.