Dec. 13, 2017
Mountain West Network | Live Stats | Game Notes
SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State puts the finishing touches on its three-game homestand this week when it battles Santa Clara on Thursday, Dec. 14, at Steve Fisher Court. Opening tip is slated for 6:30 p.m. PT.
In addition to live stats, the Aztecs-Broncos clash will feature streaming video via the Mountain West Network/Stadium on GoAztecs.com, with SDSU alumnus Chris Ello calling the action courtside.
The Aztecs split two games on The Mesa last week, falling to UC Irvine in a 67-65 heartbreaker before rebounding with a big 92-68 triumph over Hope International.
Against the Anteaters on Friday, SDSU held a 58-49 lead with 7:12 remaining, but UCI closed with an 18-7 run, hitting two of four free throws in the final 2.6 seconds to eke out the victory.
In Sunday's conquest of the Royals, the Aztecs received a superlative performance from freshman Te'a Adams, who posted career highs of 20 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals to lead all players. In addition, fellow classmate Najé Murray (16 pts.) and senior Khalia Lark (14 pts.) produced season-best scoring totals, while seniors Geena Gomez (10 pts.) and Cheyenne Greenhouse (10 pts) reached double figures as well.
As a team, SDSU recorded its best field-goal percentage of the season thus far (.535) after connecting on 38 of 71 attempts from the floor, including a brisk 11-for-16 pace (.688) in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
As of Dec. 12, senior McKynzie Fort occupies the third spot in the MW with an average of 17.3 points per game and finds herself among the MW leaders field-goal percentage (7th, .490) and assists (T-10th, 3.5/gm). In addition, Lexy Thorderson ranks second and fourth in the conference, respectively in three-pointers made (3.1/gm) and three-point field-goal percentage (.459), while Geena Gomez landed in the third slot this week with 5.0 assists per game.
The Aztecs have faced the Broncos on just two previous occasions, both in San Diego, posting a 65-48 victory in 1981, before dropping a narrow 70-68 decision in 2004.
Thursday's clash marks the Scarlet and Black's second encounter with a West Coast Conference opponent this season after knocking off San Diego 77-76 at Steve Fisher Court on Nov. 29. The Aztecs are 77-67 all-time against WCC foes.
Santa Clara (3-5) snapped a two-game losing streak with a big 104-61 victory over Menlo College in its last outing on Dec. 10.
The Broncos and Aztecs have faced one common opponent during their respective non-conference schedules thus far. SCU was dealt a 73-69 defeat at home by Cal State Fullerton in its season opener on Nov. 11, while SDSU used some late heroics to upend the Titans 59-58 at Steve Fisher Court the following week on Nov. 18.
Conversely, the Broncos emerged triumphant at home over the Aztecs' next opponent UC Santa Barbara by a 68-63 count on Nov. 14. In addition, SCU has already locked horns with another Mountain West school this season, falling to Silicon Valley neighbor San José State in overtime 71-66 at home on Nov. 28.
Individually, the Broncos boast three players with double-digit scoring averages, including freshman Ashlyn Herlihy (11.5 ppg), who has connected on a team-high 42.9 percent of her three-point field-goal attempts (12-28) off the bench, joining senior starters Kyla Martin (10.1 ppg) and Morgan McGwire (10.0 ppg).
Following Thursday's contest, San Diego State returns to action on Friday, Dec. 22, when it travels to UC Santa Barbara for its non-conference finale. Game time at the Thunderdome is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.