Dec. 9, 2014
Final Stats | Final Stats in PDF Format | Highlights | Coach Terry Postgame
SAN DIEGO - The visiting San Diego State women's basketball team was unable to overcome a slow start in its annual crosstown battle with the University of San Diego on Tuesday, falling by a 66-44 count at Jenny Craig Pavilion. With the loss, the Aztecs slip to 3-5 on the season, while the Toreros captured their third straight to raise their record to 7-1 overall.
SDSU misfired on its first six field-goal attempts, allowing USD to build a 9-0 advantage in the opening three minutes of the game. The Aztecs subsequently broke their scoring drought with consecutive baskets by junior Erimma Amarikwa (Vacaville, Calif.) and a layup by freshman McKynzie Fort (Fontana, Calif.), but found themselves in pursuit mode for the remainder of the evening.
After the Toreros answered with an old-fashioned three-point play by Maya Hood at the 13:08 mark, SDSU managed to pull within four points on five occasions over the ensuing four-and-a-half minutes, including a 20-16 spread following a pair of free throws by junior Ahjalee Harvey (Mountain View, Calif.). However, USD began to seize control at this juncture, as another and-one opportunity by Hood capped an 11-5 spurt that put the host school up 31-21 with 4:32 remaining in the first half.
The Aztecs seemed poised to creep back into contention after a layup by freshman Cheyenne Greenhouse (Riverside, Calif.) and a clutch jumper by Fort with 18 ticks left on the clock. However, the Toreros picked themselves off the mat following six straight misses from the perimeter, as a layup by Brooke Jelniker at the buzzer snuffed out the SDSU momentum and gave the contest its 33-25 score at intermission.
The Aztecs trimmed the margin to five at 37-32 on a Harvey layup with just under three minutes elapsed in the second half, but could draw no closer. USD uncorked a 10-1 spurt over the next five minutes to build a 47-33 advantage that essentially quashed SDSU's comeback hopes. During that span, the Aztecs committed three turnovers and came up empty on three shots from the floor.
The Scarlet and Black cut the deficit to 10 three times over the ensuing six-plus minutes, including a 53-43 margin on a Greenhouse layup with 4:57 remaining, but Maya Hood's trio of three-pointers highlighted a 13-1 closing run, as USD won going away.
Greenhouse (11 pts.) and Fort (10 pts.) each surpassed double digits in scoring for SDSU, while senior Khristina Hunter (Fairfield, Calif.) grabbed eight rebounds in the loss.
Conversely, the Toreros were paced by Malina Hood's 22-point performance, while twin sister Maya Hood added 14 points of her own to go with a game-high seven assists. In addition, USD received eight points, eight rebounds and three blocks by Sophia Ederaine, while Katelyn McDaniel contributed eight points and four boards.
Despite maintaining a slim 38-36 advantage in rebounds, the Aztecs were outscored by a 20-12 margin on second-chance points and a 17-4 spread off turnovers by USD, which also drained 10 more field goals (27-17) to help key its victory.
San Diego State will now break for final exams before returning to the court on Thursday, Dec. 18, against Washington at Viejas Arena. Game time is set for 6 p.m. PT.