Nov. 13, 2015
LONG BEACH, Calif. - The San Diego State women's basketball team opened the 2015-16 season on a sour note Friday, dropping a 74-54 decision to Long Beach State at Walter Pyramid. The Aztecs (0-1) were unable to dig themselves out of an early hole as the 49ers connected on seven of their first eight shots from the floor to build a commanding 20-4 lead with three minutes left in the first quarter.
Despite matching LBSU's effort on the glass with 33 rebounds, SDSU was outscored in the paint 42-28 and committed 21 turnovers. The 49ers (1-0) capitalized on the Aztecs' carelessness, converting those miscues into 31 points while maintaining a 14-2 advantage on fast-break points.
In addition, SDSU didn't help itself at free-throw line, draining just four of 12 foul shots, while LBSU went 12-for-16 from the charity stripe. Overall, the Aztecs shot 42.3 percent from the field (22-42), compared to the 49ers' 50-percent clip (28-56).
Individually, SDSU could not contain the exploits of LBSU forward Jewelyn Sawyer, who led all scorers with 20 points and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds. The 49ers also received a pair of 13-point performances from Madison Montgomery (6-9 FGs) and Raven Benton, while Chanterria Jackson reached double figures with 10 points of her own, including a pair of treys.
Conversely, the Aztecs were paced by Kymberly Ellison (Columbus, Ga.), a junior transfer from Georgia Tech who tallied 11 points in her Scarlet and Black debut, including a 3-for-4 effort from beyond the three-point arc, while senior Deidra Smith (Aurora, Colo.) and sophomore McKynzie Fort (Fontana, Calif.) finished with eight points each. Smith equaled her career best with four blocks to go with seven rebounds, while fellow classmate Ahjalee Harvey tied Benton for game-high honors with six assists.
Trailing 34-17 with 2:12 remaining in the second quarter, SDSU reeled off five straight points on an Ellison triple followed by a Smith layup and had a chance to narrow the gap to 10 after forcing a turnover. However, Benton came up with a steal in the lane, while Montgomery soon buried a three-pointer from the left wing to stymie the Aztecs' short-lived momentum and give the host school a 37-22 cushion at the break.
Things spiraled out of control in the third quarter for SDSU, which found itself facing its largest deficit of the night at 56-29 after Benton sank two free throws with 1:19 remaining in the period to cap a 19-7 run. The Aztecs committed as many turnovers as they made field goals during that stretch (five) while sinking just one of five foul shots.
SDSU was unable to pull closer than 16 points the rest of the way as consecutive baskets by Jackson and Sawyer fittingly completed the scoring for the 49ers.
The Aztecs look to regroup in time for their home opener on Monday, Nov. 16, when they play host to UC Riverside at Steve Fisher Court at Viejas Arena. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. PT.