Dec. 23, 2014
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The visiting San Diego State women's basketball team closed out its non-conference schedule in disappointing fashion Tuesday, falling to UC Riverside by a 64-54 count at SRC Arena.
The Aztecs managed to trim a 13-point second-half deficit down to one on two occasions, but could not gain the upper-hand, ultimately slipping to 3-8 on the season. Meanwhile, the Highlanders received a game-high 31 points from Brittany Crain to help raise their record to 7-4 overall.
Despite maintaining a 40-32 rebounding advantage, including a 31-24 edge on the defensive glass, the Aztecs were undone by turnovers once again, as UCR converted 20 Aztec miscues into 33 points. In addition, the Scarlet and Black sank just 7 of 13 free throws, while the Highlanders went 12-for-15 from the charity stripe.
Neither side shot the ball well, with SDSU draining 41.5 percent of its field-goal attempts (22-53), while UCR connected on 38.3 percent of its tries from the floor (23-60). However, Crain did most of the damage for the host school, finishing with an 11-for-18 clip, including four 3-pointers.
On the flip side, the Aztecs were paced by sophomore Ariell Bostick (Oakland, Calif.), who contributed 12 points and four assists, while fellow classmate Chloe Johnson (Phoenix, Ariz.) tallied all 11 of her points during SDSU's second-half surge. The Aztecs also received a boost from senior Khristina Hunter (Fairfield, Calif.), who notched her sixth career double-double with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds to go with four assists of her own.
The first half witnessed three ties and three lead changes, with SDSU building a 21-17 advantage following a Bostick jumper at the 6:43 mark. However, the Aztecs quickly became mired in another prolonged funk, misfiring on its final five field goals of the period while committing five turnovers. In the interim, UCR received a pair of triples from Dynese Adams and Jaelyn Wilson, while Crain nailed two foul shots to highlight a 13-0 run, giving the contest its 30-21 score at intermission.
The Highlanders extended their lead to 13 in the opening two minutes of the second half on baskets by Wilson and Simone DeCoud before SDSU began its methodical ascent back into contention. The Aztecs narrowed the gap to six on twice over the ensuing -and-a-half minutes, including a 36-30 spread on a Hunter layup with 13:37 remaining. However, UCR soon reclaimed a double-digit lead at 41-30 following an Adams bucket and Crain's old fashioned three-point play.
Unfazed, the Aztecs flashed their resiliency, unleashing a 12-3 blitz punctuated by Johnson's clutch 3-pointer, to pull within 43-42 by the 9:07 mark. After an exchange of baskets over the next minute, SDSU had chances to take the lead on consecutive possessions, but came up empty on both times. Moments later, Crain and Annelise Ito drained jumpers sandwiched around a Bostick free throw to give UCR a 49-45 cushion with 5:52 left.
The Aztecs kept within striking distance as sophomore Aleiah Brandon (Corona, Calif.) hit a basket with the shot clock winding down, while Johnson connected from beyond the arc to answer another Crain triple, cutting the deficit to 52-50 with 3:54 remaining. However, SDSU never threatened again after squandering a chance to either tie or take the lead on its next trip down the court with a turnover.
Crain single-handedly made the Aztecs pay for their misfortune, burying a deep 3-pointer at the 2:36 mark before completing another and-one opportunity just over a minute later. Trailing 58-52, SDSU was forced to foul; however, UCR sank six of seven free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
In addition to Crain's heroics, the Highlanders received seven points and six assists from DeCoud, while Ito (8 points) and Adams (7 points) dished out five helpers apiece.
San Diego State will now break for the Christmas holiday before opening Mountain West play with a road tilt at Air Force on Wednesday, Dec. 31, starting at noon MT/11 a.m. PT.