ANAHEIM, Calif. – The San Diego State women’s basketball lost to No. 3/4 UCLA 77-53 at the Orange County Hoops Classic in Anaheim to open the 2025-26 season.
“I liked our fight tonight,” Head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson said after the game. “We kept them in striking distance. We are young and still figuring it out, but we know how hard we need to play to win.”
Three Aztecs finished in double-digits, led by Kaelyn Hamilton’s 11 points, which tied a career-high. Nat Martinez and Nala Williams finished with 10 points.
The Bruins began the game on an 8-0 run, but the Aztecs responded with back-to-back threes from Nala Williams and Nat Martinez. SDSU would trail by just three points after the first quarter after holding the Bruins to 32 percent shooting from the field.
The Bruins went on a 12-2 run in the second quarter to push their lead to double-digits and led by 15 at the halftime break.
After falling behind by as much as 29 points, the Aztecs would close out the third quarter on a 14-5 run, fueled by three three-pointers to close the deficit to 20.
The Bruins were led by preseason first team All-American Lauren Betts’ 21 points.
STAT OF THE GAME
The Aztecs shot 40 percent from three, shooting 10-for-25 from deep.
THE NOTE
SDSU played 11 different players in the first half.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs host Cal State San Marcos for their home opener Saturday at 3 p.m. The banner from last year’s Mountain West Championship will be unveiled prior to the game.