SAN DIEGO - SDSU will kick off the 2019-20 season November 5 when they play at the University of Hawai'i. The game will be streamed on BigWest.tv. Chris Ello will be provide an audio-only broadcast on the Aztec Radio Network as well.
Aztec Tidbits
• The Aztecs beat Regina (Canada) 84-52 in their exhibition game last Sunday. Four Aztecs finished in double-digits and they were led by Regina native Zayn Dornstauder, who scored 16 points on 5-for-6 shooting in just 13 minutes. Sophia Ramos (14), Baylee Vanderdoes (11) and Mallory Adams (10) also scored in double-digits.
• The Aztecs were picked to finish fifth in the Mountain West preseason poll, their highest preseason ranking since 2013, Coach Terry's first year on The Mesa.
• The Aztecs got hot at the right time last season and made a run to the Mountain West Tournament semi-finals after upsetting the No. 2 seed New Mexico in the quarterfinals. SDSU took Wyoming, the No. 3 seed, to overtime before ultimately falling 75-70 to the Cowgirls.
• SDSU finished with 14 wins in the 2018-19 season, the most they have had under head coach Stacie Terry.
• The Aztecs return eight letterwinners and four starters from last year's team, led by the sophomore duo of Sophia Ramos and Mallory Adams, who both were selected to the Mountain West All-Freshman Team last season.
• SDSU returns 74 percent of their scoring and 81 percent of their rebounding from a season ago. Aranxta Gómez Ferrer graduated, and Najé Murray transferred to Cal.
• The Aztecs shot 36.4 percent from three last year, their best mark since 1994 and the third best percentage in school history.
• The Aztecs will have three newcomers this year. Freshmen Isabela Hernandez and Talia Sireni and Oregon State transfer Taylor Kalmer, who redshirted last year. Kalmer, a 5'8" guard, helped the Beavers reach three consecutive NCAA tournament, including the 2016 Final Four, and averaged 6.0 points in the 2017-18 season. Hernandez (Bellingham, Wash.), a 6'2" wing, will bring length and versatility and to Aztecs and Sireni (Surrey, B.C., Canada) will provide depth in the SDSU backcourt.
Aztec Notes
Trending Up
The Aztecs have increased their:
• Three-point percentage in each of the last five seasons
• Field goal percentage in each of the last four seasons
• Total number of assists in each of the last five seasons
• Total number of rebounds per game in each of the last four seasons
Making it Rain
• The Aztecs shot 36.4 percent from three last year, their best mark since 1994 and the third best percentage in school history.
• SDSU made 167 three-pointers last season, the third most in school history.
• The last three seasons have produced the three most three-pointers in a single-season in program history (2016-17, 204, 1st; 2017-18, 200, 2nd; 2018-18, 167, 3rd).
Back for More
The Texas duo of Sophia Ramos and Mallory Adams each had one of the best freshman campaigns in recent SDSU history
Mallory Adams
• Was an All-Mountain West honorable mention selection.
• Named to the Mountain West all-freshman team.
• Hauled in 285 rebounds, the most by an Aztec since 2000 and the most by a SDSU freshman since 1984.
• Made 109 free throws, the most by a SDSU freshman since 1984 and the second most in the Mountain West.
• Set a new MW Tournament record for rebounds by a freshman after hauling in 16 vs. New Mexico in the quarterfinals. This was also a career-high for Adams.
• Had 10 or more rebounds in 15 games last season and in ten of the Aztecs' 18 MW games.
• Led the Aztecs in rebounding in 23 of their 32 games.
• Was the only true freshman in the nation to average at least 12.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in conference play.
• Was in the top six in the nation in free throws made and attempted per game among true freshmen.
Sophia Ramos
• Named to the Mountain West all-freshman team.
• Led the Aztecs in scoring with 13.9 points per game, the best among freshmen in the MW.
• Was the only true freshman in the nation to average at least 13.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
• Led all freshmen in the Mountain West in scoring, assists, field goal percentage and minutes.
• Was the first Aztec to lead the team in both points and assists since 2007.
• Had the most points by an Aztec freshman since 1992.
• Had the most assists by an Aztec freshman since 1992.
• Scored in double-digits in 27 of their 32 games.
• Led the Aztecs in assists in 25 of their 32 games.
• Finished sixth in the conference with a .795 free throw percentage.
• Scored a career-high 28 points at CSUN (12-9-18) with seven three-pointers including six in the fourth quarter.
• Her seven three-pointers in that game tied her for the second most in school history and she became the first Aztec to hit six three-pointers in a quarter.
Opponent Notebook (University of Hawai'i)
• The Rainbow Wahine finished 15-17 last season and went 10-6 in the Big West.
• They advanced to the Big West Championship game, where they fell to UC Davis. They then competed in the WNIT, losing to Saint Mary's in their first game.
• Hawai'i was picked to finish fourth in the Big West in the preseason poll.
• The Rainbow Wahine defeated Hawai'i Pacific 76-71 in their exhibition game.
• Their leading scorer and rebounder from last season, Makenna Woodfolk, elected to leave the program after the season due to personal reasons.
• UH returns eight student-athletes from last season and welcome in five newcomers.
• Two of the returnees were All-Conference picks in 2018-19: senior guard Courtney Middap and sophomore forward Myrrah Joseph.
• Head coach Laura Beeman is in her eighth season as the leader of the Rainbow Wahine program. At the helm of UH, Beeman's career record sits at 117-111 overall and 66-32 in the Big West Conference.
Aztecs Open Season at Hawai'i on Tuesday
