LAS VEGAS – The San Diego State women's basketball team (21-12) beat New Mexico (21-11) 67-56 in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Tournament Monday evening. The Aztecs, who haven't trailed in either of their Mountain West Tournament games, outrebounded the Lobos 45-25 and held them to 3-for-17 shooting.
"I'm really proud of our team," Head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson said after the game. "I know I say that a lot, but I'm just overwhelmed with emotion with how we're able to play for each other, play as hard as we are, and really proud of our defense."
We've struggle on that side of the ball for the majority of the season, and these past two or three weeks we've really, really locked in. When you play defense like we have in late February and into March, you're going to give yourself a great chance to win.
A couple of things that stand out to me is the rebounding differential. New Mexico is an outstanding rebounding team. And for us to beat them by 20 really, I think, helped, limiting the second-chance points.
Kim Villalobos had a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds and had a game-high six assists. Adryana Quezada and Jada Lewis each had 14 points.
The Aztecs jumped out to a 13-1 lead, but the Lobos responded with a 12-2 run to pull within two points. That would be the closest New Mexico would get the rest of the night.
Every time the Lobos cut the lead to single digits, the Aztecs had an answer.
Point guard Abby Prohaska was limited to 11 minutes due to foul trouble and the Aztecs struggled with turnovers in the second half. However, SDSU held the Lobos to seven points in the third quarter and led by 14 points entering the fourth.
For the second night in a row the Aztecs had 19 assists.
The Lobos were led by Nyah Wilson's 22 points.
STAT OF THE GAME I
The Aztecs outrebounded the Lobos 45-25. Their +20 rebound margin tied a season-high.
STAT OF THE GAME II
SDSU held New Mexico to 3-for-17 shooting from three.
THE NOTE I
The Aztecs advanced to the Mountain West Tournament semifinals for the second straight year.
UP NEXT
SDSU will face the winner of Wyoming and Boise State in the quarterfinals Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.