SAN DIEGO – The Aztec women's basketball team (2-2) lost their first home game of the season Thursday morning, falling to Alabama A&M (1-1) 61-53 on Field Trip Day inside Viejas Arena.
Playing in front of 4,020 energetic young fans, the Aztecs struggled out of the gate and fell behind by double-digits in the first quarter. After trailing by as much as 24 points, SDSU rallied to pull within five with less than a minute to go but ultimately came up just short.
Sophia Ramos led all SDSU scorers with 12 points on 4-for-9 shooting. Téa Adams finished with 11 points, her third straight game in double figures. Taylor Kalmer struggled from the field but set a new career-high with eight rebounds, a team-high.
The Aztecs were just 1-for-12 in the first quarter while the Bulldogs made the most of their extra opportunities with 12 second chance points in the opening ten minutes to take a 25-8 lead into the second quarter. Dariauna Lewis had 14 first quarter points and finished with a game-high 31 points and 17 rebounds.
SDSU shored up their defense and rebounding in the second quarter but still struggled on offense and found themselves down 37-15 at the halftime break.
Things started to click in the third quarter for the Aztecs and they began the second half on a 14-6 run. SDSU shot 57 percent in the third, led by Sophia Ramos' nine points.
An 11-0 SDSU run brought the Aztecs within five (55-50) with 2:11 remaining, but that was as close as the Aztecs would get.
The Aztecs held the Bulldogs to 25 percent shooting in the second half (7-28).
STAT OF THE GAME I
The Aztecs made just one of their first 17 shots.
STAT OF THE GAME II
The Bulldogs made 12 field goals in the first quarter and then only made 10 the rest of the game.
THE NOTE I
Taylor Kalmer hauled in a career-high eight rebounds. She tied her career-highs for points (19) and assists (6) in SDSU's win over Westcliff on Tuesday. Kalmer played in 80 games at Oregon State before transferring to SDSU.
THE NOTE II
Baylee Vanderdoes set a new career-high with four blocks.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs continue their extended home stretch on Sunday when they host Cal State Fullerton at 1:00 p.m.
Aztecs Tripped Up by Alabama A&M 61-53
