PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas – The San Diego State women’s basketball team (4-2) overcame a 13-point deficit to beat Maryland Eastern Shore 58-45 in their first game of the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas.
The Aztecs held UMES to 16 points on 23% shooting in the second half as they overcame a second straight game with cold shooting from beyond the arc.
“We did a better job in the second half of paying attention to the scouting report,” Head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson said after the game. “Our defense in the second half gave us some life. We didn’t match their toughness in the first half, but we did in the second and got back to what we do at San Diego State.”
Three Aztecs scored in double-digits, led by Bailey Barnard’s career-high 13 points. Barnhard also tied a career-high with a team-high eight rebounds. Kennedy Lee had 12 points and seven rebounds while Naomi Panganiban chipped in 11. Nala Williams struggled from the field, but dished out eight assists and had six rebounds.
SDSU missed their first 10 three-pointers and found themselves down 22-9 early in the second quarter due to a UMES 15-4 run.
The Aztecs were able to pull within five points at the halftime break and then began the second half on an 8-0 run to take their first lead since the opening minutes. SDSU wouldn’t trail the rest of the way.
SDSU held the Hawks to single digit-points in both the third and fourth quarters, while shooting 47% from the field in the second half.
The Aztecs had assists on 16 of their 23 field goals.
STAT OF THE GAME
The Aztecs held UMES without a field goal for two different seven-plus minute stretches in the second half.
THE NOTE
Since the beginning of last year, SDSU is 24-2 when three or more players score in double-digits.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs play Penn State Monday at 9 a.m. PT in their final game of the Battle 4 Atlantis.