Jan. 20, 2016
FRESNO, Calif. -- For the second time in three games, the San Diego State women's basketball team went toe-to-toe with an unbeaten opponent in conference play but was unable to deliver the knockout punch, as the Aztecs dropped a tough 54-49 decision to Fresno State in a Mountain West clash on Wednesday at Save Mart Center.
With the loss, SDSU suffered its fifth straight defeat, falling to 6-11 overall and 1-5 in league action, while the Bulldogs raise their record to 10-7 on the year and remain perfect in MW competition at 6-0.
The two sides combined for nine ties and nine lead changes in a see-saw affair that also produced nearly identical results on the stat sheet. San Diego State connected on 40.4 percent (21-52) of its field-goal attempts, while Fresno state finished with a 43 percent clip (18-42). In addition, the Aztecs committed one fewer turnover (16-17) than their adversaries.
However, the Bulldogs sank 13 of 18 free throws, including four in the final 26 seconds to salt the game away, while the Scarlet and Black went to the charity stripe just six times, draining three shots. Despite maintaining a slim 30-29 rebounding advantage, the Aztecs were also outscored 22-14 in the paint.
Three SDSU players posted double-digit scoring totals, including senior Ahjalee Harvey (Mountain View, Calif.) and junior Aleiah Brandon (Corona, Calif.), who recorded 11 points apiece, while sophomore McKynzie Fort (Fontana, Calif.) tallied 10 points and a team-high six rebounds while matching her personal best with five steals.
The Aztecs forged their last lead of the evening at 49-47 after Harvey converted her third consecutive triple with 2:16 remaining. Following an exchange of turnovers, however, Fresno State vaulted in front for good on Breanne Knishka's three-pointer from the left wing with 1:11 left on the clock.
The Bulldogs regained possession after a missed SDSU layup and went to the free-throw line shortly thereafter where Emilie Volk misfired on two attempts. However, Fresno State managed to grab the critical offensive rebound after the second miss. Moments later, Fort was whistled for a flagrant foul and Alex Furr quickly drained both shots from the stripe to give the host school a 52-49 cushion with 26 seconds to go.
The Aztecs were forced to foul once again after the Bulldogs kept the ball on the previous technical. Volk promptly missed two additional free throws, but Fresno State came up with another critical offensive rebound. SDSU had one last chance after Shauqunna Collins layup went awry, but with time running out Harvey forced up a deep three-ball from beyond the top of the key, which caromed off the rim. The Bulldogs' Bego Faz Davalos soon added two foul shots at the other end to provide for the final outcome.
Faz Davalos finished with a game-high 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Toni Smith contributed 14 points, including a 4-for-4 effort at the foul line.
The Aztecs led by as many as seven points in the second quarter, including a 26-19 spread following a layup by junior Ariell Bostick (Oakland, Calif.) with 4:37 left in the period. However, a jumper by Smith capped a 7-2 Fresno State surge, which cut the margin to 28-26 with 47 seconds to go. Fort soon answered with a basket to give the contest its 30-26 tally at intermission.
San Diego State continues its road swing on Saturday when it travels to Utah State for a 2 p.m. MT/1 p.m. PT tipoff at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum in Logan, Utah. The Aztecs will be looking to avenge a 55-36 defeat to the Aggies at Steve Fisher Court on Jan. 2.