LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The San Diego State women's basketball team (20-12) beat San Jose State (7-24) 72-51 in the first round of Mountain West Championships Sunday evening. The Aztecs, who led wire-to-wire, forced 20 Spartan turnovers which led to 27 points.
"I was really proud of our defensive effort tonight," Head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson said after the game. "These last two games, the regular season finale against Wyoming and tonight, I thought we were locked into the game plan defensively, and that's what we need in March. I was also happy with the way that we shared the ball, ending up with 19 assists."
This was the Aztecs' 20th win of the year, giving them back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.
SDSU received 30 points off the bench, including 15 from Meghan Fiso, which tied a career high. Abby Prohaska had 12 points, five rebounds and four steals while Kim Villalobos had 11 points, five rebounds and two blocks.
The Aztecs began the game on an 8-0 run and then held the lead for the rest of the game. SDSU held the Spartans to just five field goals in the first half while forcing 12 turnovers.
At one point, the Aztecs led 26-8 and then held a 37-18 lead at the halftime break. SDSU's shooting cooled in the third quarter but they still led by 22 entering the fourth quarter.
The Spartans were led by Sydni Summers' 22 points.
STAT OF THE GAME I
The Aztecs had assists on 19 of their 24 field goals.
STAT OF THE GAME II
SDSU forced 20 turnovers which led to 27 points.
THE NOTE I
Meghan Fiso tied a career-high with 15 points.
THE NOTE II
This was the Aztecs' first 20-point win in the Mountain West Tournament since a 22-point win vs. Nevada in 2015.
QUOTE OF THE GAME
"It's a dog-eat-dog world when you're in the postseason, so you have to come out and be ready to execute and finish and follow the game plan." Abby Prohaska on the team's mentality
UP NEXT
The Aztecs face the No. 2 seed New Mexico Monday at 5 p.m. in the Mountain West Tournament Quarterfinals.
Aztecs Knock off SJSU 72-51 in First Round of MW Tourney
