SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State women’s basketball team (10-2) fell to Stephen F. Austin (9-2) 89-80 in double overtime in their first game of the San Diego Classic Thursday evening. This was the Aztecs’ first loss at home in 337 days.
The Aztecs held a lead for just over two minutes in regulation and never led by more than one point but were able to force overtime when Nat Martinez hit a three to tie the game with seven seconds left in regulation.
In the second overtime, Stephen F. Austin scored the first four points and never relinquished the lead.
“I loved our fight,” Assistant coach Gregg Gottlieb said after the game. “We are a team that is going to continue to get better the more we play.”
Martinez led the team with 21 points and made five three-pointers. It was her second time this season scoring 20 or more points.
Her freshman counterpart Naomi Panganiban scored 18 points. She is averaging 20.7 points over her last three games.
The Ladyjacks began the game on a 14-5 run and then held a lead until the final minute of the first half when the Aztecs briefly took a one-point lead following a 15-3 SDSU run.
Despite always staying within striking distance, the Aztecs trailed for the final 15 minutes of regulation. Down three with 14 seconds left, Stephen F. Austin missed two free throws to set up Martinez’s game-tying three.
After another Martinez three, the Aztecs led by four points with three minutes remaining in the first overtime period. The Ladyjacks retook the lead with five unanswered points, but Panganiban tied it up after splitting a pair of free throws.
SDSU had the ball to close out the first overtime period and Erin Houpt’s runner rimmed out.
The Aztecs were 12-for-26 (46%) from three and attempted 25 more shots than the Ladyjacks. However, SFA attempted 19 more free throws than the Aztecs.
STAT OF THE GAME I
The Aztecs forced 29 turnovers.
STAT OF THE GAME II
SDSU had assists on 21 of their 28 field goals.
THE NOTE
This was San Diego State’s first loss at Viejas Arena since January 17, 2024.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs wrap up non-conference play Saturday when they host Hawai’i Saturday at 3:30 p.m.