Courtesy of San Diego State Athletics 

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State women’s basketball team (26-5) beat UC Irvine (26-7) 61-55 in the first round of the WBIT Thursday evening at the University of San Diego’s Jenny Craig Pavilion. The Aztecs will now host McNeese Sunday at 2 p.m. at USD.

It was a tight game throughout with 12 lead changes and nine ties, but down the stretch the Aztecs forced three turnovers and made clutch free throws and finished the game on an 8-0 run to secure the victory.

“We were locked in at the end,” Head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson said after the game. “We knew who they were going to go to, so we made sure it was somewhat challenging for them.”

Naomi Panganiban collected her third straight 20+ point game, scoring 22 points while shooting 9-for-9 from the line. Kennedy Lee had 11 points and eight rebounds and Bailey Barnhard set new career-highs with nine rebounds and five assists.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first half and after the game was tied at the end of the first quarter, SDSU began the second quarter on a 9-0 run. This would be the Aztecs’ largest lead of the game as UC Irvine immediately responded with a 7-0 run.

Offensive picked up in the third quarter and UCI scored 15 points in the first five minutes, only to see SDSU rally to take a one-point lead entering the fourth quarter.

Teams traded buckets throughout the fourth quarter, and the game was tied with 1:21 left and then the Aztecs forced three turnovers and finished the game on an 8-0 run.

UC Irvine was led by Hunter Hernandez, the Big West Player of the Year, who had 19 points.

STAT OF THE GAME
The Aztecs were 13-for-13 from the line. The 13 consecutive free throws are tied for the most makes without a miss since at least 1999.

THE NOTE I
This was San Diego State’s first postseason win since 2013.

THE NOTE II
The Aztecs’ 26 wins are tied for second most in school history.

QUOTE OF THE GAME
“It was loud in there and it felt like a home game. I want to challenge everyone to come back. This is a perfect size arena for a home court advantage, and we are going to need everyone’s help Sunday.” Head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson on playing at USD

UP NEXT
SDSU will host McNeese Sunday at 2 p.m. The game will once again be played at the University of San Diego due to Viejas Arena hosting the second round of the NCAA men’s tournament.