Feb. 27, 2016
BOISE, Idaho -- San Diego State sophomore McKynzie Fort (Fontana, Calif.) and senior Ahjalee Harvey (Mountain View, Calif.) combined for 34 points on 13-of-22 shooting (59 percent) Saturday afternoon, but it wasn't enough as the Aztec women's basketball team had its five-game winning streak snapped in a 68-63 defeat at the hands of Boise State at Taco Bell Arena.
Despite maintaining a 32-14 advantage on points in the paint and a 12-2 spread on fast-break points, SDSU (11-16, 6-10) was unable to contain the outside shooting of the Broncos, who put the brakes on a four-game slide of their own after connecting on 10 of 21 three-point field-goal attempts (47.8 percent), including a 7-for-12 clip in the first half (56.3 percent).
Boise State (17-10, 10-6 MW) also drained 12 of 14 free throws (85.7 percent) and forced 18 Aztec turnovers to help key its win. Conversely, SDSU sank 8 of 13 attempts (61.5 percent) from the charity stripe and went 5 for 12 from beyond the arc (41.7 percent).
After picking up two early fouls, Fort managed to finish with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while Harvey tallied all 14 of her points in the second half on 6 of 12 field goals. The Aztec cause was also aided by senior Deidra Smith (Aurora, Colo.), who just missed out on a double-double with eight points and a game-high 10 rebounds, while junior Ariell Bostick (Oakland, Calif.) led all players with five assists and four steals.
However, Yaiza Rodriguez inflicted the most damage for the Broncos, tying for game-high honors with 20 points, highlighted by a 5-for-9 effort from beyond the arc, while Brooke Pahukoa (12 pts) and Marta Hermida (11 pts) reached double figures as well.
The two teams plodded through a ragged first quarter, combining for two ties and three lead changes, until Boise scored five straight points in the final minute of the period on a Rodriguez triple and a jumper by Shalen Shaw to break an 11-11 tie.
Stung, SDSU fashioned a 13-7 spurt punctuated by a Smith layup with 3:34 left in the second period to grab a 24-23 lead. However, Hermida nailed a triple on the Broncos' next possession to spark a 10-5 surge that gave the host school a 33-29 advantage by intermission. Rodriguez also found the bottom of the net with a trey during that stretch and added two pivotal free throws with 1.8 seconds left after getting bailed out by an Aztec foul.
SDSU found itself in pursuit mode for most of the second half, but still managed to tie the game at 43-43 on a bucket by Fort with 3:19 to go in the third quarter. The Broncos were quick to derail the Aztecs' momentum, however, as Hermida drilled another three-ball to put the hosts in front for good at the 2:53 mark of the period.
Boise extended its lead to 61-51 with 4:33 to go in the game, but a 6-0 outburst kept SDSU within striking distance. Fort ignited the run with another jumper, while Harvey and Bostick soon followed with consecutive baskets. However, the Scarlet and Black was unable to close the gap any further, misfiring on three crucial possessions down the stretch as the Broncos kept the visitors at bay over the remaining 2:25.
The Aztecs return to action on Tuesday, March 1, when they play host to New Mexico in their regular-season home finale, starting at 6:30 p.m. PT. Prior to the contest, SDSU will honor Deidra Smith and Ahajlee Harvey as part of Senior Night festivities.