Feb. 10, 2018
SAN DIEGO ââ'¬" The San Diego State women's basketball team shot a blistering 77 percent from the field in the fourth quarter to knock off Nevada 75-72 Saturday afternoon at Steve Fisher Court in their annual Play4Kay game. A 7-0 run by the Wolf Pack gave Nevada a 70-69 lead with 1:06 left, but the Aztecs reeled off six straight points at the free-throw line to seal the win and snap their four game losing skid.
The Aztecs (10-13, 4-8 MW) were led by Geena Gomez's 18 points. She scored 11 in the fourth quarter and went 3-for-3 from behind arc; Gomez also had a game-high six assists. McKynzie Fort had 15 points and a team-high three steals and Naje Murray chipped in 11 points.
The Aztecs came out hot from deep, making four of their first five buckets from three-point territory to open up a 14-9 lead. On the other side of the ball, SDSU held Nevada to 4-for-15 shooting (27 percent) in the first frame and didn't allow the Wolf Pack to score a field goal in the opening quarter's final four minutes, to take a 20-14 lead in to the quarter break.
The Aztecs had four players pick up two first half fouls, but despite that, they led for the entire first half, except for the opening minute. Their largest lead was seven points and they took a 30-29 lead in to the half time break. Cheyenne Greenhouse led the Aztecs in scoring in the first half with eight points on 4-for-5 shooting.
Baylee Vanderdoes picked up two quick fouls at the start of the second half, giving the Wolf Pack back-to-back three point plays and taking away one of the Aztecs' best rebounders. After falling behind 38-35, the Aztecs responded with a 6-0 run to go up 41-38; all six points came from McKynzie Fort.
The Aztecs then went cold from the field and didn't score a bucket for the final 5:45 of the quarter, coinciding with a Nevada 11-1 run to give the Pack their biggest lead of the game (49-42).
The Aztecs overcame their recent fourth quarter woes, by scoring 29 points on 77 percent (10-for-13) shooting in the final frame, highlighted by Geena Gomez going 3-for-3 from behind the arc.
Six of the game's nine ties came in the fourth quarter as it seemed every time the Aztecs went ahead, the Wolf Pack had an answer. Eventually, the Aztecs pulled away, going on a 6-0 run to go up 65-59 with four minutes left.
After a two minute scoring drought by SDSU, Nevada grabbed a 70-69 lead with 1:03 left. The Aztecs wouldn't score a field goal in the game's final three minutes, but racked up points at the free-throw line. Gomez hit two with 46 seconds left to retake the lead 71-70; a lead they never relinquished. Naje Murray split a pair of free-throws as did McKynzie Fort, who snagged her own rebound and after being fouled again hit two more free-throws to seal the victory for the Aztecs.
Nevada (11-12, 4-8 MW) used their height advantage to outrebound the Aztecs 42-32 and held an 18-9 edge on the offensive glass. AJ Cephas had 18 rebounds and 15 points while Teige Zeller had a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds.
Nevada has lost five straight games and is now tied with San Diego State in the Mountain West standings at 4-8.
THE NOTE
The Aztecs shot 50 percent (8-for-16) from three-point territory, marking just the second time this season SDSU had shot 50 percent or better from behind the arc. The Aztecs shot 52 percent from three-point land in their 78-67 win at Arizona December 3.
THE NOTE II
On the other side of the court, the Aztecs were locking down Nevada shooters, holding the Wolf Pack to just two three-balls, the lowest amount an opponent has hit all season.
STAT OF THE GAME
After not attempting a free-throw for the entire first half, the Aztecs shot 14 in the second half and eight in the game's final 46 seconds.
QUOTE OF THE GAME "This is a big thing for us and is one of my favorite games. In my pregame speech, we talked about honoring those who don't have the opportunity to fight and those who continue to fight. We try to honor this game and those people that are affected by cancer by coming out here and giving our best effort and I think we did that today." Head Coach Stacie Terry on the annual Play4Kay game, which raises awareness for breast cancer.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs hit the road next week, playing at Wyoming Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. MT and at UNLV Saturday at 3:00 p.m. PT. Chris Ello will have the call for both games.