Jan. 26, 2016
SAN DIEGO - After a taxing road swing last week, San Diego State returns to the friendly environs of Montezuma Mesa to open a two-game homestand, starting Wednesday when it battles Nevada at Steve Fisher Court at Viejas Arena. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. PT.
The Aztecs-Wolf Pack showdown will be streamed live via the Mountain West Network on GoAztecs.com, with SDSU alumnus Chris Ello handling the play-by-play responsibilities.
The Aztecs (6-12, 1-6 MW) will be looking to put the brakes on a season-long six-game losing streak after suffering a 72-59 defeat at Utah State last Saturday. Against the Aggies, SDSU jumped out to a 23-17 lead by the end of the first period, but was outscored in the final three quarters by a 55-36 count, which, ironically, was the final score in the first game between the two squads. Sophomore Cheyenne Greenhouse (Riverside, Calif.) paced the Aztecs with 12 points on 5-of-5 shooting, while fellow classmate Lexy Thorderson (Castle Rock, Colo.) contributed 10 points off the bench. Meanwhile, Nevada (3-15, 2-5 MW) experienced a 65-59 setback on the road last weekend at the hands of in-state rival UNLV.
The Aztecs and Wolf Pack will face each other just once during the regular-season slate after meeting on three occasions during the 2014-15 campaign. The two sides defended their respective home courts last year, with SDSU posting a 57-49 triumph at Viejas Arena, while Nevada emerged with a 50-44 decision in Reno. However, the Aztecs exacted a measure of revenge with a 70-48 conquest in the first round of the Mountain West Championship.
The two schools have squared off at the conference tournament in each of the past three seasons, with the Scarlet and Black maintaining a 2-1 edge in those contests. SDSU leads the all-time series 8-6, including a 4-1 mark in San Diego. The Wolf Pack's lone victory in "America's Finest City" was attained in a 68-62 win on Nov. 14, 2006.
The Aztecs have been taking better care of the ball recently, maintaining the MW's second-best turnover margin (+3.0) in conference play, trailing only Colorado State (+3.5). Through seven league games last season, SDSU committed 118 miscues, 24 more than this year's total, and ranked eighth in MW competition in turnover margin (-1.1).
Entering Wednesday's clash, the Aztecs also find themselves among the top half of the league during conference play in rebounding margin (3rd - (+3.9/gm)), rebounding defense (3rd - 36.0/g), three-point field-goal percentage (4th - (.296)) and assists (5th - (11.4/gm)).
Individually, SDSU has been led so far this year by sophomore McKynzie Fort (Fontana, Calif.), who ranks sixth in the MW for all games in scoring (14.2 ppg) and is tied for fourth in steals (2.2/gm). In addition, the 5-9 guard occupies the 10th spot in both field-goal percentage (.467) and free-throw accuracy (.650). Meanwhile, senior Ahjalee Harvey ranks second in the conference with a .404 three-point field goal percentage (19-47) and is averaging 12.3 points per game in MW action.
Following Wednesday's encounter, San Diego State will play host to UNLV on Saturday, Jan. 30, to highlight National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Opening tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. PT.