SDSU WOMEN'S HOOPS FALLS TO SANTA CLARA IN DEFENSIVE BATTLE

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com and Ernie Anderson

December 14, 2017 (San Diego) - Five days after scoring a season-high 92 points, the San Diego State women’s basketball team was unable to find its offensive rhythm in a 48-34 setback to visiting Santa Clara on Thursday at Steve Fisher Court.

With the loss, the Aztecs slip to 6-4 on the season, while the Broncos improve to 4-5 overall.

SDSU, which has thrived on its three-point shooting all season, connected on just 3 of 28 attempts from beyond the arc, finishing with a 22.0 percent clip from the field overall (13-59).

Conversely, SCU drained 19 of 50 shots from the floor (38.0 percent), including a 7-for-10 spree in the fourth quarter to break open a tight 30-27 score.

Individually, the Aztecs were led by McKynzie Fort, who scored 10 points and grabbed a season-high eight rebounds, while Najé Murray finished with nine points, three boards and a steal. In addition, the Scarlet and Black received a steady all-round effort from Geena Gomez, who contributed seven points, six rebounds, three assists and a personal-best four takeaways.

SDSU took its biggest lead of the evening with 1:34 mark left in the second quarter after a layup by Arantxa Gómez Ferrer gave the host school a 19-14 advantage.

However, the Broncos seized the upper hand with a 14-2 run through intermission, ultimately vaulting in front 28-21 by the 3:52 mark of the third period.  Ashlyn Herlihy scored five straight points on a triple and a layup, while Naomi Jimenez capped the surge with a jumper to put the visitors ahead to stay.

Shortly thereafter, the Aztecs narrowed the gap to 30-27 on Murray’s old fashioned three-point play with 45 seconds left in the quarter, but could draw no closer.

SCU gave itself some breathing room to start the fourth period, as Toleafoa scored five of the Broncos’ first seven points, and San Diego State never threatened again. The Aztecs were unable to rally from a 37-27 deficit, stymied by a 3-for-12 effort from the field in the quarter.

The Broncos were paced by Herlihy’s 10 points, while Morgan McGwire and Taylor Berry (9 rebounds) finished with nine points of their own. In addition, SCU profited from Toleafoa’s 10-rebound performance, while Kyla Martin dished out a game-high six assists.

San Diego State returns to action on Friday, Dec. 22 when it travels to UC Santa Barbara to wrap up its non-conference schedule. Game time at the Thunderdome is slated for 7 p.m. PT.

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