Dec. 7, 2017
Mountain West Network | Live Stats vs. UCI | Live Stats vs. HIU | Game Notes
SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State opens a three-game homestand on Friday, Dec. 8, when it plays host to UC Irvine in a matinee at Steve Fisher Court, beginning at noon PT.
Following the Anteaters-Aztecs clash, the Scarlet and Black will square off against NAIA-member Hope International in a Sunday showdown on The Mesa, starting at 1 p.m. PT.
In addition to live stats, both games will feature streaming video via the Mountain West Network/Stadium on GoAztecs.com with SDSU alumnus Chris Ello handling the play-by-play responsibilities.
San Diego State is coming off an impressive 78-67 victory at Arizona on Dec. 3, connecting on 11 of 21 three-point field goal attempts and 21 of 25 free throws to help snap a five-game losing streak against Pac-12 schools dating back to 2012. In addition, the Aztecs came up huge down the stretch, holding the Wildcats scoreless over the final 3:05 to seal the win.
Individually, SDSU was led by senior McKynzie Fort, who scored a season-high 26 points, highlighted by an 11-for-13 performance at the free-throw line, including a game-clinching 7-for-8 clip in the final three minutes.
Coupled with her 24-point effort in the Aztecs' victory over San Diego, Fort earned MW Player of the Week honors for the third time in her career.
As of Dec. 7, Fort occupies the No. 2 spot in the MW with an average of 17.4 points per game and finds herself among the MW leaders field-goal percentage (8th, 48.4), assists (T-10th, 3.6/gm) and assist-to-turnover ratio (T-7th, 1.7). In addition, Lexy Thorderson tops the conference with 3.4 three-pointers/gm and ranks second with a .511 clip from beyond the arc, while Geena Gomez climbed into the second slot this week with 4.9 assists /gm.
The Aztecs hold a 19-6 advantage over UC Irvine in the all-time series, posting a 63-53 triumph at home in the last encounter between the two squads in 2012.
After four consecutive defeats, UCI (4-5) has won two straight, including a 71-64 triumph at Southern Utah on Dec. 5.
Friday's clash marks the Anteaters' third game against a Mountain West opponent this season. UCI came away with an 87-84 decision over Utah State in its season opener at home on Nov. 10, before falling to UNLV by a 73-54 count on the road four days later.
Through nine games, junior Andee Ritter leads UCI with 9.0 points per game, while Lauren Saiki ranks third in the Big West with 4.4 assists per contest. Freshman Tahlia Garza also finds herself among the conference leaders with an average of 5.8 rebounds per game.
Sunday's game will mark San Diego State's first-ever meeting with Hope International.
Located in Fullerton, California, HIU is off to a 9-1 start this year after defeating Bethesda University 92-70 in its last outing at home on Dec. 5.
The Royals have been led by freshman center Emma Forel, who is averaging 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. The Lyon, France, native is also shooting a crisp 57.0 percent from the field (90-158).
In addition, HIU has received double-digit scoring averages from junior Lauren Davies (15.6) and senior Nikki Andaya (13.6), who tops the squad in assists (4.5) as well.
Following this weekend's action, SDSU returns to the court on Thursday, Dec. 14, when it welcomes Santa Clara to Montezuma Mesa for a 6:30 p.m. start.
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