SAN DIEGO - The Aztec women's basketball team (4-1) is heading to the Bay Area to play in the Raising the B.A.R. Invitational Powered by Cal. SDSU will face Ole Miss, who is receiving votes in the latest national polls. Friday at 3 p.m. and then play either Furman or Cal on Saturday at either 1 or 3 p.m.
Aztec Tidbits
• B.A.R. stands for Basketball, Activism and Representation. The Raising the B.A.R Invitational will be used to elevate the voices, stories and people in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging space.
• The Aztecs are 4-1, just the second time they've won four of their first five games under Head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson (9th year).
• SDSU is coming off home wins against Georgia Southern (65-57) and UAB (55-51).
• In those two wins, Asia Avinger averaged 13.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals while playing 37.0 minutes per game.
• SDSU is holding opponents to 32.7 percent shooting, the second best in the conference (39th in the nation). They have held their opponent under 40 percent shooting in all four of their wins.
• The Aztecs had 13 steals against UAB Monday, tying their highest single-game mark from last year.
• Kim Villalobos had a season-high 10 points and seven rebounds against UAB and tied her career-high with three steals.
• Sophia Ramos is one of five active players in the nation with at least 1,100 points, 400 rebounds, 300 assists and 100 steals in her career while playing in less than 100 games. She is the only one of those five who also has a career free throw percentage over 80.
• Point guard Asia Avinger (Cerritos, Calif.) was named the Mountain West Preseason Freshman of the Year for the second straight season. She missed all of last season with an injury.
• Junior Isabela Hernandez (Bellingham, Wash.) is second all-time in career three-point percentage (.386).
• In total, SDSU returns four starters and nine letterwinners from a year ago.
• The Aztecs officially joined the Jordan Brand family this season, becoming just the ninth women's basketball program in the Jordan lineup.
Opponent Notebook (Ole Miss)
• The Rebels are 4-1 on the year and have won four in a row since their season opening loss to Belmont (62-50).
• This will be their first time playing outside of their home arena.
• They went 15-12 last year and were runner-ups in the WNIT.
• They returned 10 letterwinners and all five starters from that team.
• Ole Miss is receiving votes in the latest poll.
• Shakira Austin averages a double-double with 13.2 points and 10.8 rebounds.
• They are holding opponents to 46.8 points and 30.8 percent shooting from the floor, both are top 20 in the nation.
• Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin is in her fourth year at Ole Miss and ninth year as a head coach.
Series Notes
• This is the first ever meeting between the two programs.
• SDSU is 6-11 all-time against teams from the SEC.
Opponent Notebook (Furman)
• Furman is 4-1 on the year with their only loss coming at Georgia (78-41).
• In their four wins, their average margin of victory is 30.8.
• Furman's mascot is the Paladins and they are located in Greenville, South Carolina.
• They were picked to finish fourth in the Southern Conference.
• Tierra Hodges leads the team in scoring and rebounding and is a two-time all-conference selection. She has over 1,100 career points.
• Sydney James was the 2021 SoCon Freshman of the Year. Tate Walters was also on the SoCon All-Freshman team.
• They average 19.8 offensive rebounds per game, fourth in the nation. Overall, they bring in 47.8 rebounds, 14th in the nation.
• Head coach Jackie Carson (12th year) has over 175 career wins at Furman.
Series Notes
• This is just the second ever meeting between the two programs.
• The Aztecs lost to Furman on the road 60-43 Nov. 21, 2014.
• SDSU is 1-2 all-time against teams from the Southern Conference. Aside from Furman, they beat UNC Greensboro and lost to Chattanooga.
Opponent Notebook (California)
• The Golden Bears are 4-0 on the year.
• They have wins over two teams SDSU will face later this season: Utah State (81-49) and UC San Diego (64-54).
• They went just 1-16 last year and 1-12 in the Pac-12.
• They are holding opponents to 53.8 points on 31.7% shooting.
• Freshman Jayda Curry is averaging 22.0 points per game.
• Evelien Lutje Schipholt is averaging a double-double with 13.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
• Head coach Charmin Smith is in her third year as head coach at Cal after spending 12 years as an assistant.
Series Notes
• The Aztecs lead the all-time series 4-3.
• Cal beat SDSU in Viejas Arena 74-48 Nov. 21, 2019.
• SDSU is 1-1 all-time against the Golden Bears in Berkeley.
• Their first meeting was Dec. 14, 1978, a 74-69 Aztec win.
Aztecs Playing Ole Miss at Cal Friday
