San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec




San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

WOMEN?S BASKETBALL: SDSU routed by No. 1

For those who aren’t familiar with the San Diego State women’s basketball team, Thursday’s game against No. 1-ranked Connecticut went according to plan.
SDSU, a developing team from a mid-major conference, traveled across the country to take on UConn, the unanimous pick for best team in the country, and the Aztecs were blown out 8212; as many would expect.

But for SDSU head coach Beth Burns, nothing about the trip to Hartford, Conn., went how she expected.

“I’m really disappointed. I apologized to (UConn head coach) Geno (Auriemma) after the game, because I expected us to compete,” Burns told www.goaztecs.com. “As I prepared for this game, watching last year’s game, I knew our defense was so much better, but it was Christmas. It was a month forward. We were fortunate to win the two games that we did coming in because we haven’t guarded well.”

Last season, the then-No. 2 Huskies came to Cox Arena to face an energized Aztec team that put up a commendable fight to its East Coast opponent.

But this year, to say SDSU’s defense struggled would be a tremendous understatement, as UConn (3-0) seemed to score at will, defeating the Aztecs (2-1) by a score of 99-55.

“We definitely learned that we need to work on our defense when we get back home,” junior guard Quenese Davis said. “We are going to take this as a learning experience. We just didn’t play defense tonight.”

Jené Morris’ play was one of the few bright spots for SDSU. The junior guard scored 17 points and was the only Aztec to break double digits, and added five rebounds and three steals.

The Huskies’ Maya Moore picked up right where she left off from last year. After having one of the most celebrated freshman seasons in women’s NCAA basketball history, the sophomore forward started her second season by leading her team in points with 21, rebounds with nine and assists with six, while even throwing in a blocked shot.

Moore was just one of the UConn players to score in double figures, as three other starters and one bench player all scored 11 or more points.

Despite the nature of the loss, SDSU has a strong opportunity to get its season back on track in the coming week.

“We have four games next week and that’s what I told them,” Burns said. “We have two days of practice for four games. What we do this weekend will really determine how our season goes.”

The Aztecs’ first shot at redemption will come tomorrow when they travel to the other side of Mission Valley to take on their cross-town rivals at the University of San Diego. SDSU will then have another two days off before flying to Hawaii for the 2008 Waikiki Beach Marriott Classic, where it will face the likes of Iowa State and Hawai’i on its home court in Honolulu.

Despite her disappointment from the 44-point loss, Burns knows it was just one game and there is a long season ahead.

“We’ve just got to go to work,” Burns said. “It’s November, we aren’t going to throw in the towel yet.”

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San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
WOMEN?S BASKETBALL: SDSU routed by No. 1