Jan. 16, 2018
MW Network | Live Audio> | Live Stats | Game Notes
SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego State women's basketball team jumps back into action this week when it embarks on a quick trip to the Central Valley to face Fresno State on Wednesday, Jan. 17, starting at 7 p.m. PT.
The Aztecs-Bulldogs game will feature streaming video via the Mountain West Network/Stadium on GoAztecs.com, while SDSU alumnus Chris Ello handles play-by-play responsibilities for a live audio webcast from Save Mart Center.
The Aztecs are coming off an 86-70 defeat to Boise State in their last outing on Jan. 13. SDSU received double-digit scoring totals from four players, including a team-high 14 points by senior Geena Gomez, while fellow classmate McKynzie Fort added 13 points of her own.
However, the Broncos erased a 43-36 halftime deficit by outscoring the Scarlet and Black 50-27 over the final two quarters, shooting 54.8 percent from the field during that stretch, including an 8-for-14 clip from three-point range.
Entering Wednesday's matchup, Fort occupies the second spot in the Mountain West with an average of 16.7 points for all games and ranks seventh in field-goal percentage (.495) and ninth in assists (3.7/gm). In addition, Gomez (9.7 ppg) is eighth in assists (3.8/gm) and 10th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.2). Despite missing the last two games, Lexy Thorderson still finds herself among the league leaders as well in three-pointers per game (5th, 2.4) and three-point field-goal percentage (9th, .407).
As a team, the Aztecs enter the week among the top half of the conference in scoring defense (4th, 66.9 ppg), rebounding margin (T-4th, +1.0), scoring offense (5th, 66.2 ppg), three-pointers made (5th, 7.1/gm) and free-throw percentage (5th, .704).
Wednesday's clash will mark the 45th varsity meeting between the two schools, with SDSU maintaining an 26-18 advantage in the all-time series.
However, the Aztecs have lost six of their last seven against the Bulldogs, including a pair of defeats during the 2016-17 campaign when SDSU experienced a 59-51 setback at Steve Fisher Court, followed by a nearly identical 59-50 loss in the Central Valley.
The Aztecs are 9-10 all-time in Fresno and have fallen short in their last three visits to Save Mart Center. SDSU last posted a road victory over Fresno State in February 2014, when it rallied for a 70-69 triumph.
Offensively, the Bulldogs are led by junior Candice White, who received all-Mountain West honorable mention in 2017. The 5-8 guard tops the conference in scoring with an average of 18.6 points per game and has converted a league-best 97.2 percent of her free throws (70-72). White also finds herself among the MW leaders in three-pointers made (8th, 2.2/gm (38 overall)), steals (T-9th, 1.4/gm) and three-point accuracy (11th, .376).
In addition, Fresno State has received a boost from freshman forward Maddi Utti (9.3 ppg), who ranks second in the conference in field-goal percentage (.567 (68-120)) and offensive rebounds (11th, 2.2/gm), while fellow classmate Aly Gamez (8.6 ppg) occupies the eighth spot in both three-point accuracy (.412 (21-51)) and steals (1.5/gm).
Collectively, the Bulldogs are second in the league in free-throw percentage (.741) and rank third in both three-point field-goal percentage (.351) and three-point field-goal defense (.281).
However, Fresno State is just seventh in scoring offense (65.4 ppg) while ranking eighth in both scoring defense (69.3 ppg) and scoring margin (-3.9).
As a team, the Bulldogs also occupy the eighth spot in the MW this week in field-goal percentage (.390), opponent field-goal percentage (.418) and rebounding (35.5/gm).
San Diego State is 7-3 this season when holding the opposition to under 40 percent shooting from the field.
In addition, the Aztecs are 6-2 on the year when out-rebounding their foes.
In eight wins this season, SDSU is averaging 73.0 points per game and is shooting 43.3 percent from the floor, including a 39.4 percent pace on three-pointers.
In eight defeats, however, the Aztecs are averaging just 59.5 points per contest, connecting on 35.6 percent of their field-goal attempts, including a 26.6 clip on treys.
Following Wednesday's game, SDSU returns home on Saturday, Jan. 20, when it squares off against New Mexico, beginning at 1 p.m. PT.