CANCUN, Mexico – The San Diego State women’s basketball team improved to 7-0 with a 73-67 win over Wisconsin (5-2) in their first game of the Cancun Challenge.
The Aztecs led by as much as 13 in the third quarter, but then the Badgers started the fourth on a 17-0 run to take a five-point lead with 3:43 remaining. SDSU then finished the game on a 15-6 run, which included back-to-back threes from freshman Nat Martinez, who finished with a game and career-high 22 points.
“We showed a lot of grit,” Head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson. “We got the lead and then gave it up. We took a punch and then punched right back. I’m very proud and Nat hit some big shots for us. That kid is fearless.”
Martinez hit four three-pointers and was 8-for-10 from the line and scored nine points down the stretch in the fourth quarter.
Veronica Sheffey had her best game as an Aztec and finished with 15 points, a career-best tying eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals.
Jazlen Green continued her hot shooting with 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting, including three three-pointers.
Adryana Quezada was limited to 22 minutes due to foul trouble but had a team-best plus/minus of 18.
The game was full of runs. Green scored eight quick points to give SDSU a 13-7 lead only to see the Badgers respond with a 10-0 run.
The Aztecs would fall behind by seven points before storming back to take a two-point lead at the halftime break.
SDSU started the second half on a 10-2 run and led by 12 points at the end of the third quarter.
The Badgers started the fourth quarter 7-for-7 from the field while the Aztecs missed the first nine shots. This resulted in a 17-0 Wisconsin run and a five-point lead with 3:43 left.
SDSU responded with a 10-0 run, eight of which came from Martinez to give the Aztecs a five-point lead with 1:20 left. The Badgers made a three with 11 seconds left to cut the lead to three points, but SDSU made three free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
STAT OF THE GAME
The Aztecs had a turnover margin of +9. They have had less turnovers than their opponent in all seven games this season.
THE NOTE
Jazlen Green has scored in double-digits in each of her last three games. She didn’t score in SDSU’s first four games.
QUOTE OF THE GAME
“We didn’t panic. I got that from Coach Fisher. When I first got [to SDSU], I saw he had the same demeanor no matter what the score was, and I took that from him.” Head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson
UP NEXT
The Aztecs continue the Cancun Challenge Friday when they play VCU at 10:30 a.m. PT.