With its second-half collapse against Saint Mary’s still fresh inits mind, the San Diego State women’s basketball team seemed to be inposition for another disaster. However, the Aztecs, up 25-20 athalftime, would allow nothing of the sort to happen this time.
SDSU beat Nevada decisively Monday night, 67-52, at Cox Arena.
Sophomore Ashley Dunlap and freshman Michelle Elliot led SDSU(1-1) as they became the first pair of Aztecs to finish with at least20 points in a game since Jamey Cox and Claire Swinbank did it onFeb. 21, 2001, against UNLV. Dunlap, who also had 10 rebounds tocomplete a double-double, finished with 23 points while Elliotfinished with 20 points on 75 percent (8-of-12) shooting from thefield.
“They (Dunlap and Elliot) need to continue to get the kind ofnumbers they got tonight,” head coach Jim Tomey said. “The more werun our offense, the more opportunities these two are going to have.We need both of them to give us that kind of firepower.”
Most of the first half was a seesaw affair as the two teamsexchanged leads eight times in the first 15:39 of the game, withneither squad having more than a two-point lead until Wolfpack (0-2)guard Jocelyn Mancebo hit a three-pointer with 8:52 left in the half.
But the Aztecs regrouped. With 44 seconds left, Dunlap had a stealand then proceeded down the court to score on the fast break, givingSDSU a five-point lead at halftime.
The Wolfpack put themselves in early foul trouble heading to thefree-throw line nine times in the first half, making seven. By game’send, the Aztecs made 19-of-23 free throws with freshman JessicaHuettl scoring most of her 14 points from the stripe as she convertedon 9-of-12 attempts.
Inthe second half, Nevada came out running a full-court press defense.On numerous occasions, SDSU found the uncovered players, and was ableto score. It was something Tomey said the team was prepared for.
“We expected them to try and get a pace that was good for them,”he said. “We wanted to make sure we played safe. Our press break wasvery effective against them.
“We prepared for it, and we thought the kids did a good jobexecuting.”
The Aztecs’ first double-digit lead of the night came when Dunlapdished out a dazzling behind-the-back pass to junior Candace Mattson,who took it in for the layup to give the Aztecs a 40-30 lead.
SDSU extended its lead to 50-37 when senior Nicolette McCartnyfound Elliot for an open jump shot. Running time off the shot clock,the Aztecs pretty much sealed the game when Mattson connected fromdowntown with 2:46 left in the game just before the shot-clockbuzzer, giving SDSU a 61-48 lead, and eventually putting the gameaway.
The Aztecs will now be on the road for their next three games,beginning with Cal State Fullerton on Dec. 1. For many of these youngplayers, it will be their first road trip at the collegiate level.
“I have faith in the team and in our freshmen,” Dunlap said. “Idon’t think they’re going to choke on the road. I know they don’thave the experience of being on the road in a college game, but Ithink they’re going to be just fine.”
