Dec. 21, 2017
Live Stats | Live Audio | Live Video | Game Notes
SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State wraps up its non-conference slate this week when it ventures up the coast for a clash at UC Santa Barbara on Friday, Dec. 22. Game time inside the Thunderdome is set for 7 p.m. PT.
In addition to live stats, the Aztecs-Gauchos clash will feature an audio webcast on GoAztecs.com with SDSU alumnus Chris Ello handling the play-by-play responsibilities, as well as a streaming video link courtesy of Big West TV.
The Aztecs have been idle since Dec. 14, when they dropped a 48-34 decision to Santa Clara in a defensive battle at Steve Fisher Court.
SDSU, which had been lighting up the scoreboard from three-point range this season, connected on just 3 of 28 attempts from beyond the arc against the Broncos, shooting just 22 percent for the game (13-59).
After sitting out the previous contest against Hope International with an injury, senior McKynzie Fort returned to the starting lineup last Thursday to record her 76th career game with a double-digit scoring tally after finishing with 10 points to go with a season-high eight rebounds.
In addition, the Aztecs received nine points and three boards from freshman Najé Murray, while senior Geena Gomez turned in a steady all-round performance with seven points, six rebounds, three assists and a career-best four steals.
As of Dec. 20, Fort occupies the fourth spot in the MW with an average of 16.4 points per game and finds herself among the league leaders field-goal percentage (10th, .461) and assists (11th, 3.2/gm). In addition, fellow classmate Lexy Thorderson ranks second and sixth in the conference, respectively in three-pointers made (2.8/gm) and three-point field-goal percentage (.431), while Gomez landed in the third slot this week with 4.8 assists per game.
SDSU leads the all-time series vs. UCSB 18-6 and has won four consecutive meetings, including an 84-70 conquest in San Diego last year.
The Aztecs were also triumphant in their last trip to Santa Barbara in 2013, when they outlasted the Gauchos 71-67 to give Stacie Terry her first career victory as a head coach.
After claiming a wild 96-93 victory in its season opener at Northern Arizona on Nov. 10, UC Santa Barbara (1-9) has lost nine straight, including a 67-61 setback at Loyola Marymount on Monday night. The Gauchos-Lions clash was originally scheduled to be played at UCSB on Dec. 7; however, the game was moved to Los Angeles due to unpredictable air quality resulting from nearby fires affecting the Santa Barbara region.
The Gauchos and Aztecs have played two common opponents during their respective non-conference schedules this year. UCSB dropped a 68-63 decision at Santa Clara on Nov. 18, before falling to San Diego at home by a 71-58 count on Nov. 27.
In addition, SDSU is the Gauchos' second Mountain West adversary of the season after coming up on the short end of a 64-57 score at home vs. Fresno State on Nov. 30.
Individually, UCSB is led by Drew Edelman, a redshirt senior who occupies the fifth spot in the Big West in scoring (14.7 ppg), while ranking fourth in rebounds (7.8/gm) and sixth in field-goal percentage (.519, 54-104).
The Gauchos have also received a double-digit scoring average from junior guard and San Diego native Sarah Porter (10.3 ppg), who is also UCSB's top threat beyond the arc with a team-high 21 three-pointers made, while freshman point guard Danae Miller ranks sixth in the Big West with 3.4 assists per contest.
Elsewhere, the Gauchos have benefited from the play of freshman Sarah Bates (7.2 ppg) and sophomore Aliceah Hernandez (7.2 ppg), who have combined for 33 three-point field goals and a .407 clip from beyond the arc.
Following Friday's encounter, San Diego State opens its Mountain West schedule on Thursday, Dec. 28, when it plays host to Wyoming, starting at 6:30 p.m. PT.