SAN DIEGO - The Aztec women's basketball team hosts Towson for their 2019-20 home opener Saturday at noon. The game will be streamed on the Mountain West Network with Chris Ello on the call.
Aztec Notes
• The Aztecs lost at Hawai'i 61-58 in their season opener Tuesday evening. Four Aztecs were in double-digits, led by Sophia Ramos' 14 points.
• SDSU will be at home for their next five games and seven of their next eight.
• Beginning with their game against Towson on Saturday, the Aztecs will play four games in a span of eight days.
• The next three games will be against teams they have never faced before: Towson (Nov. 9), Westcliff (Nov. 12) and Alabama A&M (Nov. 14).
• The Aztecs beat Regina (Canada) 84-52 in their exhibition game Oct. 27. Four Aztecs finished in double-digits and they were led by Regina native Zayn Dornstauder, who scored 16 points on 5-for-6 shooting in just 13 minutes. Sophia Ramos (14), Baylee Vanderdoes (11) and Mallory Adams (10) also scored in double-digits.
• San Diego State is receiving votes in the preseason Coaches' Poll, marking the first time since 2012 the Aztecs have been recognized in a national poll.
• The Aztecs were picked to finish fifth in the Mountain West preseason poll, their highest preseason ranking since 2013, Coach Terry's first year on The Mesa.
• SDSU finished with 14 wins in the 2018-19 season, the most they have had under head coach Stacie Terry.
• The Aztecs return eight letterwinners and four starters from last year's team, led by the sophomore duo of Sophia Ramos and Mallory Adams, who both were selected to the Mountain West All-Freshman Team last season.
• SDSU returns 74 percent of their scoring and 81 percent of their rebounding from a season ago. Aranxta Gómez Ferrer graduated, and Najé Murray transferred to Cal.
• The Aztecs shot 36.4 percent from three last year, their best mark since 1994 and the third best percentage in school history.
• The Aztecs will have three newcomers this year. Freshmen Isabela Hernandez and Talia Sireni and Oregon State transfer Taylor Kalmer, who redshirted last year. Kalmer, a 5'8" guard, helped the Beavers reach three consecutive NCAA tournament, including the 2016 Final Four, and averaged 6.0 points in the 2017-18 season. Hernandez (Bellingham, Wash.), a 6'2" wing, will bring length and versatility and to Aztecs and Sireni (Surrey, B.C., Canada) will provide depth in the SDSU backcourt.
Noting the Last Game (L, 58-61 at Hawai'i, 11-5-19)
• Neither team led by more than four points in the second half.
• The Aztecs largest lead was three, which happened with 3:08 left in the game.
• SDSU held Hawai'i to 19 percent shooting (6-for-31) on three-point field goals.
• The Aztecs committed just six turnovers, but forced just
• SDSU shot 36 percent from the field in the first half and 37 percent in the second half.
• The Aztecs played 11 players in the first half while UH had 10 players see the floor.
• Taylor Kalmer, who was playing in her 81st career game, made her first career start after coming off the bench at Oregon State for three years. She scored 10 points, her 11th time being in double-digits.
• Sophia Ramos (14 points) has now scored in double-digits in 28 of her 33 career games. She played a team-high 35 minutes and committed just one turnover.
Opponent Notebook (Towson)
• Towson went 20-13 last season and 11-7 in the CAA.
• They won the CAA Tournament to qualify for the NCAA Tournament where they lost to UCONN.
• This was their first conference championship since 1984.
• Towson was picked to finish third in the CAA preseason poll.
• They return four starters, including their leading scorer (Kionna Jeter, 17.3 ppg) and leading rebounder (Nukiya Mayo (7.6 rpg).
• Q. Murray set the Towson single-season record for assists last year with 147.
• The Tigers lost to Penn State 73-67 at home in their season opener.
• Kionna Jeter and Q. Murray each scored 18 points. Nukiya Mayo had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
• The Tigers will be playing at San Diego on Monday.
• Towson is coached by Diane Richardson, who is in her third year with the program. She led the Tigers to their first CAA Championship and first NCAA Tournament berth last season.
• This will be the first ever meeting between these programs.
Opponent Notebook (Westcliff)
• Westcliff is located in Irvine, Calif. They are applying to be a member of the NAIA.
• They are 1-3 on the season.
• They have four players averaging 10 or more points and are led by Lauren Davis' 18.0 ppg.
• Davis also averages a team-best 9.0 rebounds per game.
• Head Coach Kyle Rouse is in his first year as the Westcliff head coach.
• This will be the first ever meeting between these programs.
Aztec Tidbits
Preseason Notes
The Aztecs have increased their:
• Three-point percentage in each of the last five seasons
• Field goal percentage in each of the last four seasons
• Total number of assists in each of the last five seasons
• Total number of rebounds per game in each of the last four seasons
Making it Rain
• The Aztecs shot 36.4 percent from three last year, their best mark since 1994 and the third best percentage in school history.
• SDSU made 167 three-pointers last season, the third most in school history.
• The last three seasons have produced the three most three-pointers in a single-season in program history (2016-17, 204, 1st; 2017-18, 200, 2nd; 2018-18, 167, 3rd).
Back for More
The Texas duo of Sophia Ramos and Mallory Adams each had one of the best freshman campaigns in recent SDSU history
Mallory Adams
• Was an All-Mountain West honorable mention selection.
• Named to the Mountain West all-freshman team.
• Hauled in 285 rebounds, the most by an Aztec since 2000 and the most by a SDSU freshman since 1984.
• Made 109 free throws, the most by a SDSU freshman since 1984 and the second most in the Mountain West.
• Set a new MW Tournament record for rebounds by a freshman after hauling in 16 vs. New Mexico in the quarterfinals. This was also a career-high for Adams.
• Had 10 or more rebounds in 15 games last season and in ten of the Aztecs' 18 MW games.
• Led the Aztecs in rebounding in 23 of their 32 games.
• Was the only true freshman in the nation to average at least 12.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in conference play.
• Was in the top six in the nation in free throws made and attempted per game among true freshmen.
Sophia Ramos
• Named to the Mountain West all-freshman team.
• Led the Aztecs in scoring with 13.9 points per game, the best among freshmen in the MW.
• Was the only true freshman in the nation to average at least 13.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
• Led all freshmen in the Mountain West in scoring, assists, field goal percentage and minutes.
• Was the first Aztec to lead the team in both points and assists since 2007.
• Had the most points by an Aztec freshman since 1992.
• Had the most assists by an Aztec freshman since 1992.
• Scored in double-digits in 27 of their 32 games.
• Led the Aztecs in assists in 25 of their 32 games.
• Finished sixth in the conference with a .795 free throw percentage.
• Scored a career-high 28 points at CSUN (12-9-18) with seven three-pointers including six in the fourth quarter.
• Her seven three-pointers in that game tied her for the second most in school history and she became the first Aztec to hit six three-pointers in a quarter.
Aztecs Host Towson for Home Opener Saturday
