Feb. 17, 2015
SAN DIEGO - - The San Diego State women's basketball team opens a two-game homestand this week, starting Wednesday when it renews acquaintances with New Mexico at Viejas Arena. Game time is set for 6 p.m. PT.
A live video stream of the Aztecs-Lobos clash will be available on GoAztecs.com, with SDSU alumnus Chris Ello handling the play-by-play responsibilities.
In addition, Wednesday's contest has been designated Greek Trivia Night. Members of various San Diego State fraternities and sororities will be on hand to compete for the grand prize of a 40-inch television or a GoPro by answering trivia questions throughout the game.
The Aztecs (9-15, 6-7 MW) are coming off consecutive road losses at Wyoming and Colorado State last week. After falling by a 74-66 count in Laramie on Feb. 11, the Scarlet and Black found itself on the wrong side of a 65-42 score against the Rams last Saturday. The Aztecs trailed by just one early in the first half before CSU fashioned a 15-3 run to seize control of the game. Meanwhile, the Lobos 14-10, 10-3 MW) have catapulted into a tie for first place in the league standings on the strength of seven straight victories, including a 63-45 triumph at home over Nevada on Feb. 14.
SDSU will be looking to recapture its defensive tenacity when it encounters UNM on Wednesday. After yielding an average of just 53.6 points and a .354 field-goal percentage in seven games prior to last week, the Aztec defense sprung a leak on its trip to the Front Range, allowing an average of 70 points and a .459 field-goal percentage to Wyoming and Colorado State. In addition, the Aztecs gave up a combined 20 three-pointers and were outscored by a collective 40-17 margin on points off turnovers.
Nevertheless, SDSU still occupies the second spot in the MW in three-point field goal percentage defense (.290), which is 65th in the nation, and ranks among the top half of the conference in rebounding defense (3rd - 35.3/gm), rebounding margin (4th - (+3.4)) and offensive rebounds (t-5th - 13.9/gm). Individually, junior Erimma Amarikwa (Vacaville, Calif.) finds herself in the sixth spot for all games in free-throw percentage (.707) and is seventh in rebounding (6.9/gm). In league play, the Aztec forward is averaging 7.5 boards per contest, which ranks sixth, while her scoring average of 12.2 points per game is 14th.
SDSU has faced New Mexico more than any other team in program history, with the Lobos maintaining a 29-25 lead in the all-time series. The Aztecs have dropped two straight to UNM, including a 62-53 setback in Albuquerque on Jan. 7. However, San Diego State has won four in a row vs. the Lobos at Viejas Arena and holds a slim 11-10 edge overall in "America's Finest City."
After engaging UNM, the Aztecs will play host to San José State on Saturday in the team's annual Play4Kay Game to highlight breast cancer awareness. Opening tip is set for 2 p.m. PT, and the first 300 fans in attendance will receive a free pink SDSU women's basketball key chain.