Jan. 20, 2015
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State women's basketball team will play four of its next six games at home, beginning Wednesday when it squares off against Air Force at Viejas Arena. Opening tip is set for 6 p.m. PT, with SDSU alumnus Chris Ello calling the action courtside for a live video stream available on GoAztecs.com via the Mountain West Network.
Both teams came up on the short end of the scoreboard in their respective outings last Saturday. SDSU (5-11, 2-3 MW) dropped a 64-47 decision at UNLV, while the Falcons (1-16, 0-6 MW) suffered a 69-53 setback to Utah State at home. The Aztecs are 4-7 this season following a loss. SDSU last rebounded from a defeat with a 57-54 victory over Wyoming on Jan. 14, which came on the heels of a 63-52 loss at New Mexico.
Wednesday's clash marks the 38th meeting between the two teams, with the Aztecs maintaining a 31-6 lead in the all-time series, including a 15-2 ledger in San Diego. SDSU has captured 10 straight against the Academy, marking its longest active winning streak against conference opponents. The Aztecs overcame a five-point deficit in the second half to defeat the Falcons by a 74-65 count in the Mountain West opener for both sides on Dec. 31.
Air Force's last victory in the series occurred on Jan. 19, 2011 with a 61-58 triumph at the Academy. However, SDSU has won eight in row vs. the Falcons at Viejas Arena since dropping a 63-56 decision in overtime on Jan. 7, 2006. Last year, the Scarlet and Black posted its largest winning margin of the 2013-14 campaign with a 72-39 conquest of Air Force at home before completing the season sweep with a 77-66 triumph at Clune Arena followed by a 63-56 decision in the MW tournament.
Entering the week, the Aztecs find themselves among the top half of the Mountain West in several categories, including three-point field-goal percentage defense (2nd - (.282)), rebounding defense (2nd - (35.7/gm)) and rebounding margin (5th - (+2.7)). Individually, senior Khristina Hunter ranks eighth for all games with an average of 6.5 rebounds per contest, while junior Erimma Amarikwa occupies the 10th spot in conference play in scoring (13.2 ppg) and is sixth in free-throw percentage (.783).
Following Wednesday's encounter, San Diego State continues its homestand on Saturday when it entertains defending MW regular-season champion Colorado State at Viejas Arena, starting at 2 p.m. PT. The Aztecs will be looking to avenge last year's sweep by the Rams, who posted a narrow 64-61 victory in San Diego.