March 10, 2015
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LAS VEGAS -
San Diego State-New Mexico Final Box
A resilient San Diego State women's basketball team rallied from a nine-point first-half deficit and a five-point hole in the second half to have a final chance as time expired, but Erimma Amarikwa's layup would not fall as the 10th-seeded Aztecs dropped a 57-56 decision to second-seeded New Mexico in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Championship.
The Aztecs trailed 55-52 entering the final media timeout (3:21), but McKynzie Fort left the huddle and calmly knocked down a pair of free throws. Ahjalee Harvey followed with a long-range jump shot with two minutes remaining to give San Diego State a 56-55 lead, which led to a handful of empty possessions for both squads.
Then with 42 seconds left, New Mexico's Bryce Owens made two free-throws to propel the Lobos back in front once again, 57-56. San Diego State would have the ball the rest of the way after Fort's jumper was off the mark, but possession stayed with the Aztecs after the team offensive rebound. The Lobos were whistled for a foul with 14 seconds left giving SDSU a final chance at victory. Coming out of the UNM timeout, Ariell Bostick's three-point attempt rimmed out with Amarikwa collecting her 10th rebound of the contest. The junior's put-back, however, bounced around and did not drop as the Lobos escaped with the victory.
The opening minutes of the first half foreshadowed what was to come as it was a see-saw battle, one that eventually had the Aztecs ahead, 16-14. The Lobos, however, went on a 13-4 run over the course of a 4-minute, 36-second span to take a nine-point lead with 3:11 left in the period. Despite the uphill climb, SDSU navigated the deficit by ending the half on a 9-3 run with the final two coming on a one-handed buzzer-beating layup by Khristina Hunter to get the Aztecs to within three at halftime, 35-32.
When play resumed, San Diego State got consecutive baskets, a three-pointer and layup, from Ahjalee Harvey and a jumper from Hunter to take a 39-35 lead. UNM temporarily stopped the 7-0 Aztec run with a bucket, but the Lobos fouled Chairese Culberson on a three-point attempt and the senior knocked down two of three free throws to help San Diego State move ahead, 41-37.
As the game moved forward, New Mexico scored nine unanswered points in just under four minutes to take a five-point cushion past the nine-minute mark. But like earlier, the Aztecs fought back in the form of an 8-3 spurt to level the score at 51 with 4:24 left in regulation, which later led to the few possessions of the game.
Amarikwa registered her 10th career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, five of which were of the offensive variety. Harvey, meanwhile, led the Aztecs with a season-high-tying 16 points. Hunter fell just short of reaching double figures in scoring with nine points, while pulling down six rebounds. Fort finished with eight points and game-high-tying three assists.
San Diego State finishes its season with a 12-19 record after advancing to the second game of the conference tournament for the fourth consecutive year.