Feb. 28, 2015
Final Stats | Final Stats in PDF Format
BOISE, Idaho - The visiting San Diego State women's basketball team battled Boise State in closely contested game Saturday, but found itself on the wrong side of a 64-58 score in a Mountain West clash at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho.
The Aztecs and Broncos each made 22 field goals apiece as the see-saw affair witnessed eight lead changes and three ties. However, BSU ultimately prevailed thanks to a 7-for-21 effort from three-point territory, compared to SDSU's 2-for-11 clip from beyond the arc.
In addition, the Aztecs (10-17, 7-9 MW) suffered 18 turnovers on the afternoon, including five during a crucial six-minute span late in the second half, as the Broncos (18-9, 10-6 MW) pulled away down the stretch to earn a split of the regular-season series.
Individually, SDSU received balanced scoring from Erimma Amarikwa (Vacaville, Calif.), McKynzie Fort (Fontana, Calif.) and Lexy Thorderson (Castle Rock, Colo.), who finished with eight points each, while Ahjalee Harvey (Mountain View, Calif.), Ariell Bostick (Oakland, Calif.) and Khristina Hunter (Fairfield, Calif.) added seven points apiece.
However, the Aztecs were unable to solve the BSU quartet of Shalen Shaw (15 pts.), Miquelle Askew (11 pts.), Yaiza Rodriguez (11 pts.) and Deanna Weaver (11 pts.), who each finished with double-figure point-totals. Shaw connected on 4 of 5 field goals and drained seven free throws en route to a career high, while Rodriguez buried 3 of 6 attempts from three-point range.
SDSU trailed by as many as eight in the first half after a layup by Shaw gave the host school a 23-15 advantage with 7:08 remaining in the period. However, the Aztecs responded with a 7-0 spurt over the ensuing three-and-a-half minutes as two Thorderson free throws narrowed the gap to 23-22 by the 3:45 mark. SDSU had the opportunity to inflict further damage during the run, but came up empty after the Broncos turned the ball over on consecutive possessions.
BSU made the Scarlet and Black pay shortly thereafter with a pair of triples by Kenna McDavis and Rodriguez, sandwiched around a Bostick layup, to reclaim at 29-24 lead with 2:09 remaining. The Aztecs fought themselves off the ropes once again, reeling off six straight points, including the last four by Fort to jump in front 30-29 with just 14 seconds left. Too much time remained on the clock; however, as Weaver drove down and hit a jumper with five seconds to go, giving the contest its 31-30 score at intermission.
The Broncos committed four turnovers in the opening four minutes of the second half, but SDSU was unable to fully capitalize on their hosts' misfortune, fashioning a meager 6-2 run, highlighted by a Harvey bank shot off the glass. Still, when Bostick hit a free throw with 15:48 left in the game, the Aztecs inched ahead by a 35-33 margin.
The two sides slugged it out over the next seven minutes, but BSU gradually asserted itself, stringing together a 13-8 run that featured five Shaw free throws and a triple by Kayla Reinhart to reclaim a 46-43 lead by the 8:28 mark. Thorderson tied it with her second three-pointer of the game moments later, but a Reinhart foul shot followed by an Askew layup put the Broncos in front to stay 49-46 with 6:44 to go.
The Aztecs remained in contention over the ensuing four minutes, thanks to a layup by Deidra Smith (Aurora, Colo.) and three Amarikwa free throws, including a conversion with 2:45 left that trimmed the margin to 54-52. However, the Broncos seized complete control with five straight points on a crushing three-pointer by Rodriguez, while Askew found the bottom of the next with a layup off an Aztec turnover shortly thereafter to put the host school up 59-52 with just 1:50 remaining.
SDSU had one last gasp as Chairese Culberson (Oakland, Calif.) nailed a jumper with 16 seconds left to tighten the score at 61-58. However, BSU sank three free throws down the stretch to provide for the final outcome.
In addition to her point production, Hunter came up with a game-high three takeaways to surpass the 100-steal mark for her career, while Amarikwa led all players with eight rebounds.
The Aztecs will close out the home portion of their regular-season schedule on Tuesday, March 3, when they play host to UNLV at 6 p.m. PT. Prior to the game, the Aztecs will hold a special ceremony honoring Erimma Amarikwa, Chairese Culberson and Khristina Hunter as part of Senior Night festivities.