Nov. 22, 2014
COLUMBIA, S.C. - San Diego State continues its season-long nine-day road trip on Sunday when it battles No. 2/3 South Carolina at Colonial Life Arena. Opening tip is slated for 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.
A live audio stream will be available for the Aztecs-Gamecocks clash on GoAztecs.com, with SDSU alumnus Chris Ello handling the play-by-play responsibilities. In addition, Sunday's matchup can be viewed online at SEC Network Plus, with Brad Muller and Debbie Antonelli calling the action. SEC Network Plus is available to subscribers of AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast, Cox, DISH, Google Fiber and Suddenlink and can be accessed on computers, tablets and mobile phones after contacting the aforementioned cable/satellite providers for a user name and password.
SDSU is coming off a disappointing 60-43 loss at Furman on Friday night in Greenville, S.C. The Aztecs shot just 31 percent from the field (17-55) and missed eight of 15 attempts from the free-throw line. Mountain West preseason freshman-of-the-year honoree McKynzie Fort was one of the few bright spots for the Scarlet and Black, tying for game-high honors with 13 points off the bench for her third straight double-digit scoring effort of the year. However, senior Khristina Hunter and junior Erimma Amarikwa, two of SDSU's top scorers entering the contest, were held to a combined six points on 3-of-10 shooting.
After three games, Fort leads the Aztecs with an average of 14.7 points per outing, while Hunter (12.3 ppg), freshman Cheyenne Greenhouse (10.3 ppg) and Amarikwa (10.0 ppg) have also produced double-digit scoring totals for the season. In addition, Hunter tops the MW with a .692 field-goal percentage (18-26), while Fort ranks seventh with a .533 clip (16-30). Similarly, Amarikwa finds herself amongst the league leaders this weekend, tying for the seventh spot in rebounding (8.0/gm).
Meanwhile, the Gamecocks (2-0) represent the highest-ranked opponent the Aztecs will face since falling at No. 1 Connecticut on Nov. 20, 2008. SDSU is 0-2 in two previous meetings against South Carolina after suffering an 88-54 defeat last season at Viejas Arena. The Gamecocks also posted a 58-55 upset victory at the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam in 2009, when the Aztecs entered the game with a No. 25 ranking.
San Diego State has dropped three straight to ranked foes (No. 14 Oklahoma State - 2012; No. 19 South Carolina - 2013; No. 23 Texas A&M - 2013) since knocking off No. 18 DePaul 82-74 at the Rainbow Wahine Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii on Nov. 18, 2011.
Following Sunday's tilt, the Aztecs will head to the Caribbean for the 2014 San Juan Shootout in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. SDSU will square off against Idaho State in the opener on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, followed by a showdown with Big Ten foe Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 29.