Courtesy of San Diego State Athletics 

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The San Diego State women’s basketball team’s (27-6) season came to an end Thursday evening when the fourth-seeded Aztecs fell at second-seeded Kansas (22-13) 85-78 in the WBIT quarterfinals. SDSU finishes their season with 27 wins, which ties a school record.

Playing inside the historic Allen Fieldhouse, the Aztecs shot a season-high 55% from the field and made 11 three-pointers. SDSU led by two points with 7:33 remaining, but the Jayhawks shot 78% in the fourth quarter and closed out the game by making six of their last seven shots.

“We played really hard and I’m so proud of this team,” Head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson said after the game. “This was a tough environment against a very athletic team, but we battled and I’m proud of the body of work we put together this season, 27 wins and going 19-1 in conference. This team has done everything I’ve asked of them.”

Naomi Panganiban led the Aztecs with 20 points, her eighth game with 20+ points this year. Kaelyn Hamilton had 15 points and Kennedy Lee scored 14 with four three-pointers. Nala Williams, the Mountain West Player of the Year, had seven assists and no turnovers.

The Jayhawks Lilly Meister scored 11 of KU’s first 13 points and SDSU found themselves down 19-8 in the first quarter.

The Aztecs caught fire in the second quarter, making 10 of their 12 shots and 5 of their six threes. SDSU would score 27 points in the quarter and briefly took the lead before heading into the locker room down 45-42.

SDSU outscored Kansas 23-18 in the third quarter and led by two entering the final quarter. Kansas would go up by six points, but the Aztecs pulled within two points with 38 seconds left. SDSU wouldn’t make a field goal the rest of the way and Kansas went 5-for-6 from the line to secure the victory.

The Jayhawks’ Jaliya Davis led all scorers with 25 points and S’Mya Nichols finished with 15 points.

STAT OF THE GAME
The Aztecs shot a season-high 54.5% from the field.

QUOTE OF THE GAME
“I am proud of our team. This was a great year and I’m so proud to be their coach.” Head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson

THE NOTE
San Diego State tied a school record with 27 wins.