Those who went to the San Diego State women’s basketball game on Monday saw a defensive battle, which ended with SDSU coming up short to rival University of San Diego 48-45. The Aztecs were without leading scorer Cierra Warren, who according to the UT San Diego, did not play due to concussion symptoms suffered last Friday.

For SDSU, the story was rebounding and how USD’s hustle-on offense resulted in 23 offensive rebounds, which turned into 21 second chance points.

[quote]“Our rebounding was bad tonight and I think that allowed USD to get some key offensive boards in the game. I think (USD) did a great job of executing their game plan, obviously it was to get to the offensive glass,” head coach Stacie Terry said after the game.[/quote]

Junior forward Erimma Amarikwa had 13 points and six rebounds to lead the Aztecs, but it was not enough to get past the Toreros stingy defense, or overcome the play of USD senior guard Amy Kame who had 16 points along with three steals.

The Aztecs started slow, falling behind 17-9 before going on a 7-0 run capped by a junior forward Chairese Culberson three-pointer. The deficit remained one point at halftime as the Toreros led 22-21.

The game got only tighter in the second half with six lead changes, as Kame and junior guard Brook Jelniker took over for the Toreros and their tough defense didn’t let the Aztecs take any good shots.

The Aztecs did take the lead with 3:13 to go in the game, however,  when sophomore forward Deidra Smith’s jump shot went in for a 44-43 lead. Although, it was not to be as Kame capitalized on yet another offensive rebound by sinking USD’s only three-pointer of the game to take the lead for good. SDSU had a chance with one second left, but junior point guard Ahjalee Harvey’s three- pointer went long and the Aztecs dropped to 0-3 on the season.

After being torched in the first two games for 93 and 65 points, coach Terry thought that the defense played well, but that there’s still much to work on.

[quote]“We have to go back to the drawing board and start working on the fundamentals of the game because I think that’s what’s losing it for us,” Terry said, “I thought we played a great defensive game minus the second chance points, anytime you hold somebody to 48 points you should win.”[/quote]

The Aztecs return to the court on Saturday at 1 p.m.as they face 19th ranked South Carolina at Viejas Arena.