Dec. 5, 2014
SAN DIEGO - After an eight-day hiatus, the San Diego State women's basketball team returns to the court on Sunday when it plays host to UC Santa Barbara at Viejas Arena. Opening tip is set for 2 p.m. PT. A live video stream of the Aztecs-Gauchos clash will be available via the Mountain West Network on GoAztecs.com, with SDSU alumnus Chris Ello handling the play-by-play responsibilities.
Sunday's contest has also been designated Dads and Daughters Day, which features a free poster giveaway, commemorative photos and a postgame autograph session by the Aztec players.
SDSU has been idle since Thanksgiving weekend when it posted a 1-1 record at the 2014 San Juan Shootout in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. The Aztecs opened with a 68-53 triumph over Idaho State, before falling to Michigan by a 70-50 count. Meanwhile, UCSB has lost seven straight to open the 2014-15 campaign after dropping an 81-55 decision to Washington State on Thursday.
SDSU will be facing the Gauchos for the third consecutive season after recording a 68-45 conquest at home in the first round of the WNIT in March 2013, followed by a 71-67 comeback win on the road last year, which gave Stacie Terry her first career victory as a head coach. The Aztecs sport a 16-6 all-time record in 22 varsity meetings against UCSB, including a 10-2 mark in San Diego.
SDSU is 97-84 overall against current members of the Big West Conference, including a 13-2 ledger in its last 15 meetings against that league dating back to the 2007-08 campaign. The Aztecs' only two defeats to Big West opponents during that stretch occurred at Viejas Arena against UC Irvine (2010) and Long Beach State (2014).
Through six games this season, freshman McKynzie Fort leads SDSU with 10.5 points and 2.5 assists per contest, while junior Erimma Amarikwa tops the squad with 6.5 rebounds per outing. Amarikwa recently surpassed the 500-point barrier for her career after posting a team-high 15 points off the bench against Idaho State. The Aztecs have also received important contributions from junior Ahjalee Harvey, who has connected on a team-best 9-of-16 three-pointers (.563), while freshman Cheyenne Greenhouse has two double-digit scoring performances to her credit, including a team-high 13-point effort vs. Michigan on Nov. 29.
Following Sunday's contest, SDSU will play one last game before final exams when it travels down Interstate 8 to battle the University of San Diego at Jenny Craig Pavilion on Tuesday, Dec. 9, starting at 6 p.m. PT.