Key Highlights
- SDSU has won 25 of their last 27 games when having three or more players score double-figures. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt was only appropriate that Panganiban knocked down three 3-pointers, the same as the number of stars on the Pambansang Watawat—the national flag of the Philippines.
- She helped the Scarlet and Black get off to a blistering start from downtown, hitting nine for 3-point land in the first half and 11 for the game. however the hot shooting that staked SDSU to a 13-point halftime lead cooled considerably in the third as Pacific (4-5) dialed up the pressure and used the elevated pace to generate shots before the Aztec defense could get set.
- Meanwhile, at the opposite end they faced newly mixed in trapping zone coverage that prevented the Scarlet and Black offense from getting into rhythm. With the Tigers making 57.1% (8 of 14) from the field in the quarter, getting baskets from six different players, while the Aztecs shot 6 of 18, the 9-point scoring edge by the visitors trimmed the lead to 57-53 after the third. It came as close as a 1-point edge when Szabos hit a 3-pointer at 7:18, but SDSU’s guards went to work, with Martinez knocking down a transition triple off a Williams feed and then Nala scoring on a drive the following possession.
- It was part of the guard trio scoring 9 points for the Aztecs. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat set up a key high-low play where the Pacific defense lost Alyssa Jackson underneath, and Lee found her on the back cut for a reverse layup that proved the game-winner with 1:35 remaining.
- The Tigers got a left wing 3-pointer from Sydney Ward to make it a one-possession game again and had a chance for the final shot, but Nyah Lowery’s contested left flat hit the heel. The Aztecs got off to a fast start, knocking down their first three shots before missing six in a row over a four minute stretch despite holding the early 5-point lead.