Nov. 17, 2016
SAN DIEGO -
San Diego State women's basketball was unable to get past a University of San Diego team that shot 65 percent (37-for-57) and fell to its crosstown rival, 91-53, in a non-conference game Thursday night.
With the loss, SDSU falls to 1-2 on the season, while USD improves to 3-0. It was the Aztecs' worst margin of defeat since an 89-38 defeat by No. 2/3 South Carolina on Nov. 23, 2014.
In the first half, San Diego State had to contend with a Torero team that shot an outstanding 70 percent (19-for-27) compared to SDSU's 29 percent (9-for-31).
After McKynzie Fort and Kymberly Ellison made a trio of free throws to start the game, Fort got the Aztecs' first two field goals. Her short jumper put the game within one point at 6-5 2:44 into the game. Three-and-a-half minutes later, she drove the basket, hooked right and threw in the 16-7 shot.
With time winding down on the first quarter, the Aztecs were determined to keep the contest within reach.
As two minutes were on the clock, Ariell Bostick intercepted a pass by USD's leading assist-getter Cori Woodward and ran it down the court with freshman Monique Terry sprinting ahead of her. Bostick passed it to Terry at the basket who laid it in. Terry added another two points on the ensuing possession with a good layup for the 20-13 score.
Bostick cut the Toreros' lead to five at 20-15 shortly thereafter with a left-handed shot into the basket.
But with the exception of a good free throw by Ellison early in the second quarter, USD was able to rely on its hot shooting and went on a 11-2 run for a 31-17 San Diego advantage.
The teams traded baskets midway through the frame for a 37-24 tally. USD, however, was able to break away and out-scored San Diego State, 13-5, for the 50-29 halftime lead.
Both teams got into foul trouble in the first half, with SDSU incurring 16 personal fouls and USD assessed 15 personal fouls in the first 20 minutes alone.
In the third quarter, however, the Aztecs were out-scored 23-8 for a 73-37 Torero lead heading into the fourth quarter.
But Naomi Ekwedike (2), Fort (2), Lexy Thorderson (3) and Bostick (2) knocked down nine points to cut the advantage to 79-46 nearly three-and-a-half minutes into the fourth quarter.
With just under five minutes remaining in the game, Bostick stole the ball and shoveled it midcourt to Greenhouse, who cashed in on a layup. Terry added a three-point play with a left-handed layup and good free throw for the 81-51 score.
But the lead was too much for the Aztecs to overcome and SDSU fell, 91-53.
Fort led the team with 15 points in 28 minutes before fouling out. Terry's seven points were a career-high, while Geena Gomez and Terry each had four boards for the team-high. San Diego State shot 27 percent for the game, and was 2-for-17 (11.8 percent) from three-point range.
San Diego State returns to Viejas Arena on Sun., Nov. 20 for a 2 p.m. game against Loyola Marymount.