Jan. 3, 2015
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SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State women's basketball team was unable to overcome a slow start in its conference home opener on Saturday, falling to Fresno State by a 56-44 count at Viejas Arena. The Aztecs (4-9, 1-1 MW) were forced into pursuit mode after missing their first 14 shots from the floor as the Bulldogs raced to a 20-2 lead through the first eight minutes and change.
Despite committing fewer turnovers than the opposition (19-23) for the second straight outing, SDSU connected on just 27 percent of its field-goal attempts (16-59) and was outscored 38-28 in the paint. On the flip side, Fresno State (10-3, 2-0 MW) shot 42 percent (22-52) on the afternoon and maintained a 45-37 advantage in rebounds, including a 31-20 spread on the defensive glass to help extend its winning streak to six games.
Individually, the Aztecs were led by senior Khristina Hunter (Fairfield, Calif.) and freshman McKynzie Fort (Fontana, Calif.), who finished with 10 points apiece, while junior Erimma Amarikwa (Vacaville, Calif.) added nine points and tied Hunter for game-high honors with eight rebounds.
The Bulldogs also had two players finish in double figures as Alex Sheedy topped all scorers with 19 points, including a 6-for-6 performance from the free-throw line, while Toni Smith tallied 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting. In addition, Fresno State received game-high contributions from Shauqunna Collins (5 steals) and Bego Faz Davalos (4 blocks).
Seemingly behind the eight-ball from the outset when Collins zipped in for an uncontested layup off the opening tap, SDSU tallied just two free throws in the first 8:31 of the game, until a basket by junior Deidra Smith (Aurora, Colo.) broke the host school's offensive drought at the11:19 mark.
However, the Aztecs found still found themselves trailing by a wide margin nearly three minutes later after the Bulldogs' Raven Fox nailed a jumper to give the visitors their biggest lead of the game at 29-6 with 8:31 left. Stung, SDSU began its slow climb back into contention, closing the half with a 14-5 spurt to pull within 34-20 by intermission. Sophomore Ariell Bostick (Oakland, Calif.) sparked the run with a three-pointer and two foul shots, while Hunter buried a pair of jumpers.
What little momentum the Aztecs took into the locker room quickly evaporated in the first minute of the second half, however, as Sheedy scored five consecutive points to provide Fresno State a 39-20 cushion.
For the balance of the contest, SDSU valiantly fought to narrow the gap to single digits, but time became its mortal enemy. When junior Ahjalee Harvey (Mountain View, Calif.) converted a driving layup, which cut the margin to 49-38, only 5:35 remained on the clock. Sheedy promptly served as the proverbial kryptonite to the Aztecs' comeback hopes, though, scoring four points on two free throws and a layup over the next two-and-a-half minutes to put the Bulldogs safely in front 53-38 with 2:46 to go.
San Diego State returns to the hardwood on Wednesday, Jan. 7, when it battles New Mexico in a mid-week clash at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M. Game time is set for 7 p.m. MT/6 p.m. PT.