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Monday Decemeber 3, 2012 The Daily Aztec
from MEN’S BASKETBALL page 1
The Bruins were forced to foul to slow down the Aztecs 3-point shooting, but Franklin hit seven of his 8 free throws in the final minute and a half to tack on key insurance points that kept victory out of reach for the Bruins. Senior guard Chase Tapley had a quiet nine points, including two clutch free throws down the stretch. This season Tapley has had knee trouble, but played solid minutes in the Aztecs 11th-straight victory against Pac-12 opponents. Stephens finished with a seasonhigh 12 points and six rebounds. SDSU shot 50 percent from the field and made 13 of 14 free throws attempted. SDSU basketball head coach Steve Fisher moves to 2-0 against UCLA in his career. “We are appreciative of the fact that UCLA wanted to play us,” Fisher said. “So let’s show them why we’re a team that they should want to play with regularity.” The Aztec’s win snaps an eightgame losing streak against UCLA, a team SDSU has lost to since 1940. “The Show” was at full volume during the game with faithful SDSU fans making the trip to the Honda Center in overwhelming numbers. More than 17,000 fans attended, and the echoes of SDSU chants boomed from the stands on many occasions. “It was hard to play out there,” Muhammad said. “The crowd was erupting and it was difficult. They played really well tonight and the fans went out with a bang.” “The Show” will continue at 7 p.m. tonight when the Aztecs host Texas Southern University at Viejas Arena.
from WOMEN’S BASKETBALL page 1
from VOLLEYBALL page 1
paige nelson , photo editor
Senior guard Courtney Clements attempts to make a shot despite USC players reaching to block it. This is Clements third game scoring 20 points or more this season.
from the free throw line. SDSU also had a 26-18 rebounding advantage against the Trojans. “Our offense flows from our defense,” SDSU head coach Beth Burns said. “We are not extremely fast, but we are big and we are strong and if we can defend and rebound, then we can get out and transition and get out in the space.” The Aztecs went into the second half determined to maintain their lead. As the point gap increased, it was clear the USC offense couldn’t handle the pressure from the SDSU defense. With 22 seconds left in the game, sophomore forward Erimma Amarikwa made a jump shot that gave the Aztecs a 34-point lead to seal the win. SDSU is now 4-2 overall this season and the Trojans have now slipped down to 3-3. The Aztecs shot 46 percent from the field and made 10 of the 18 free throws they attempted. Clements led the team with 25 points, making this her third game scoring 20 points or more this season. “Really, every day my goal is to play as hard as I can and to play the
best defense I can. I don’t really focus on scoring,” Clements said. “I’m a scorer, so I’m going to score—that’s natural for me. And some games you just miss shots, but if you play defense every game you win games regardless of whether you score or not, so that’s really my focus every game.” Also hitting double digits were senior point guard Chelsea Hopkins who scored 13 points and freshman forward Deajanae Scurry who scored 11 points. Amarikwa led the team with nine rebounds. Hopkins and Scurry were close behind with seven apiece. Senior forward Gabrielle Clark led the team with six assists. SDSU held USC to 32 percent shooting from the field; however, the Trojans managed to make eight of the 12 free throws attempted. On Wednesday, the Aztecs will be in Seattle preparing to face off against the University of Washington Huskies at 7 p.m. “Whatever Washington does, we just have to make sure that we execute and we play good defense, and I think we will be all right,” Clements said.
Aztec players gave their best efforts in the loss as junior outside hitter Raegan Shelton led the team with 21 kills, matching her career high. Senior middle blocker Andrea Hannasch and senior libero Kristi finished their college career with a bang as they both had stellar performances. Hannasch recorded 17 kills, 15 blocks and a service ace, while Jackels ended her career with a strong performance of 21 digs, five assists, and a pair of service aces. The Lady Aztecs end their season as Mountain West Conference champions with an overall record of 23-8. This was the first time in school history SDSU won the MW title and its first time advancing to the NCAA Tournament since 2001. Despite the heartbreaking first round loss, the Aztecs have a lot to be proud of. To start off, SDSU went undefeated at home with a perfect 14-0 record at Aztec Court this season. Head coach Deitre Collins-Parker led her team to the best season in school history since the team joined the Mountain West in 1999. Parker said she was proud of the goals her team accomplished throughout the season. “We would have liked to have taken a game in the tournament, but so many of our goals were accomplished. Obviously, winning the conference, going undefeated at home, improving our record, all of those things are huge accomplishments,” Parker said. Parker was named Mountain West Coach of the Year.
SPORTS In addition, four Aztecs were awarded all-conference honors. Parker said she couldn’t have accomplished the honor without her team and staff. “It’s such a testament to the staff and the players. It’s a proud moment for me to be able to share with everyone,” Parker said. In addition to getting a sparkling conference championship ring, sophomore outside hitter Michelle Waber owns the title of MW Newcomer of the Year. This was Waber’s first season in an Aztec uniform after transferring from University of Hawai’i to Montezuma Mesa. Hannasch and Shelton were both named to the All-Mountain West team for the second year in a row. This marks Hannasch’s third time in her career as part of the all-conference team. Junior setter Johnna Fouch was recognized for her stellar play-making ability with the title of Mountain West Setter of the Year for the second year in a row. The overwhelming support from Aztec family and fans this season did not go unnoticed. Aztec Court was packed with red and black supporters, especially for the team’s final home game against Nevada. Parker thanked the fans for all the support this season. “It was really awesome at our final game; all the sports that came out and supported and all the people that came out and supported as well,” Parker said. “It was our largest crowd of the year and it was an amazing feeling to have so many people there.”
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