SDSU WOMEN'S HOOPS: AZTECS UNABLE TO GET PAST UTAH STATE

McKynzie Fort became the 21^st Aztec to enter the 1,000-point club

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo:  Geena Gomez courtesy goaztecs.com

January 14, 2017 (Logan, Utah) - Despite a thrilling fourth quarter, San Diego State women’s basketball team was unable to get past Utah State and fell on the road to the Aggies 53-47, Saturday afternoon in Mountain West play.

With the loss, SDSU moves to 2-3 in conference play and is 7-9 overall. USU, meanwhile, is now 2-4 against Mountain West opponents and is 9-8 this year.

McKynzie Fort led the team for the 11^th time this season, as she posted 17 points. Geena Gomez recorded 12 points, while Khalia Lark got a team-high eight rebounds.

The Aztecs started the game off on the wrong foot, getting out-scored, 19-9, in the first quarter. The team went 3-for-17 (18.8 percent) in the frame and was 1-for-4 from 3-point range, grabbing seven boards.

SDSU was able to close the gap in the second quarter. The team improved its shooting from the floor, going 6-for-16 (37.5 percent) with nine rebounds and out-scoring the Aggies, 13-9, to trail 28-22 at the half.

In the third quarter, San Diego State narrowly edged Utah State, 12-10, but was plagued by poor shooting, going 4-for-14 (28.6 percent) with one made 3-pointer on six attempts. After 30 minutes of play, the score was 38-34 in favor of USU.

After a slow start to the fourth quarter, the Aztecs got on track midway through the period. At 4:53, Fort made good on a 3-point play, getting a layup in transition and making good on the ensuing free throw. Fifty-one seconds later, Gomez got a layup of her own.

At 3:26, Lexy Thorderson drilled a three from the right corner and, on the next possession, Gomez knocked down one of her own from the top of the key to cut the Aggies lead to 48-45 with 2:49 to go in regulation.

With 38 seconds remaining in the period, Fort drew a foul driving the basket from the left side and made the two ensuing free throws, cutting USU’s lead to 49-47.

But the Aztecs were unable to pull even with the Aggies, falling for the final 53-47 score.

For the game, San Diego State shot 28.8 percent (17-for-59) and was just 22.7 percent (5-for-22) from 3-point range. Utah State was 22-for-56 from the floor, going 2-for-8 on 3-point attempts. SDSU was out-rebounded, 43-38. USU committed 17 turnovers to SDSU’s 13 turnovers.

San Diego State returns to Viejas Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 18 with a 6:30 p.m. game against UNLV.

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