Nala Williams and Lee Kennedy had double-doubles and six reserves played more than 10 minutes as San Diego State women’s basketball team extended its winning streak to 11 straight games with a 94-66 wire-to-wire romp over San Jose State on Saturday afternoon at Viejas Arena.
Williams had a hand in almost half the Aztecs’ points, as she scored 20 points and had 10 assists, five of which set up 3-point baskets. Lee had 12 points and 12 rebounds as the Mountain West-leading Aztecs improved to 15-3 overall and 9-0 in conference play.
Williams was the only starter to play more than 25 minutes as the Aztecs began substituting liberally after just 11 minutes, jumping out to a 32-12 lead thanks to an 18-0 run. San Diego State’s biggest lead in the first half was 23 points, which was expanded to 40 at 91-51 with 3:20 to play.
Williams became the first Aztec since 2013 to have a 20-point, 10-assist game. She was 7-for-10 from the floor, including a 3-for-5 effort from three-point range. She also had five rebounds and a steal.
She credited the Aztecs’ second 18-0 run of the season to defense.
“We’re talented offensively,” said Williams. “It’s when we’re locked in on defense that we have those amazing runs.”
SDSU coach Stacie Terry-Hutson wasn’t totally happy with the Aztecs’ defense, particularly against San Jose’s long-range game. The Spartans (3-18, 1-9) were 15-for-36 beyond the arc and only 8-for-24 from two-point range.
San Diego State’s bench had a 39-12 edge in points.
“I want our bench players to get time when they can,” said Terry-Hutson. “We had that opportunity today. And I thought our bench came through.”
Guards C.J. Latta (two 3-pointers and three assists) and Alyssa Jackson (eight points, five rebounds, two assists) played 22 ½ and 18 minutes, respectively. Maria Konstantinidou (six points, eight rebounds and a physical presence on defense) and Kaelyn Hamilton (eight points, four rebounds) each played 17 ½ minutes. And freshman guard Kendall Mosley had seven points in 11 ½ minutes.
Tritons hang on
The Tritons’ women’s basketball team moved back into a tie for the Big West Conference lead by holding on to defeat the Anteaters 68-66 in Irvine. The two teams are tied at 8-1 in conference play.
UCI’s Jada Wynn missed a potential game-winning three-point attempt with two seconds to play after a pair of free throws by guard Rosa Smith had given the Tritons a 68-64 lead with 22 seconds to play. UCI halved the deficit on a lay-in by Hunter Hernandez, then got a final shot after a steal by Wynn.
Smith led the Tritons with 20 points, including going 4-for-6 on 3-point tries. Forward Erin Condron had 19 points and seven rebounds. Guard Mykala Rose had 12 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Guard Sabrina Ma had points and three rebounds.
Rose and Ma played all 40 minutes. Condron and Smith each played 37 minutes. Guard Dymonique Maxie was limited to 23 minutes by foul trouble.
USD beats LMU
Guard Kylie Ray converted seven of eight free throw attempts in the final minute to lead the Toreros to a 69-60 victory over Loyola Marymount in a West Coast Conference game at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Ray led the Toreros (8-14, 2-7) with 26 points and nine rebounds and forward Eva Ruse had her second double-double in a span of six games with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Ruse had three rebounds in the final 90 seconds after her layup gave USD a 62-58 lead.
Guard Hallie Rhodes had 12 points and seven assists for USD.
LMU falls to 12-8 overall and 6-3 in WCC play.