After a triple-overtime 72-68 win over Wyoming, SDSU’s Women’s Basketball team had four days to mentally regroup before learning their next matchup.
In a jam-packed auditorium at the Fowler Athletics Center on Sunday evening, head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson and her team learned they would be traveling to Baton Rouge, Louisiana as a 14-seed to take on No. 3-seeded LSU Tigers in their first-round matchup on Saturday, March 22 at 7:15 pm PDT on ESPN.
The Tigers (28-5) are entering the tournament on the heels of a Southeastern Conference (SEC) tournament loss to No. 1 Texas. The Tigers started off the year on a historic pace, 20-0, before dropping a game to the South Carolina Gamecocks.
“They’re a very good team. Highly competitive, athletic team that can hit you from many different ways,” said Terry-Hutson.
LSU is anchored by three All-SEC First Team players: Flau’Jae Johnson, Aneesah Morrow, and Mikaylah Williams, who average 18.9, 18.5, and 17.2 points per game, respectively.
“There’s no way you can stop anyone who’s playing in the NCAA right now, but we’re going to do our best to slow them down, and figure out ways we can be successful,” Terry-Hutson added.
This year marks the Aztecs’ first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2012 when as the 12-seed it fell to who else but fifth-seeded LSU in Baton Rouge, 64-56.
“This is what we’ve been working for all season, so it’s pretty surreal and it’s really exciting and special,” said junior guard Veronica Sheffey.
Sheffey, the MVP of the Mountain West Tournament, has powered the Aztecs to a tournament bid by leading both SDSU in scoring (11.4 points per game) and assists (3.0 assists per game).
The tandem of Sheffey and freshman guard Naomi Panganiban, who were selected to the Mountain West All-Tournament Team, has fostered a focused presence in the Aztecs’ backcourt amid the toughest road environments.
“So when we’re playing on the road, when we’re traveling, it’s just that we all know how more important it is just to be locked in,” said Panganiban.
With a date set for this Saturday against Kim Mulkey and her storied program, the celebration from the Fowler Athletics Center has now completely shifted to complete focus on beating the Tigers.
The winner will face the winner of sixth-seeded Florida State and 11th-seeded George Mason on Monday.
The Aztecs (25-9) won the Mountain West tournament as the No. 4 seed, beating fifth-seeded New Mexico, top-seeded UNLV, and then No. 2 Wyoming in the championship game in triple overtime. SDSU has won its last eight games.Who will this year’s Cinderella team be? This Aztecs team is on a streak of eight consecutive wins that included gutsy performances in every Mountain West tournament victory. Why not the Aztecs?
Teams: SDSU vs LSU
Date: Saturday, March 22
Time: 7:15 PDT
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Watch: ESPN