SAN DIEGO – San Diego State didn’t just win. It executed.
In a game defined less by dramatic swings and more by sustained control, the Aztecs leaned on efficiency, discipline and depth to secure a 56-41 victory over McNeese on Sunday afternoon at the University of San Diego’s Jenny Craig Pavilion. The win not only pushed SDSU forward in the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament, but also etched the team into the program record book, tying a school mark with its 27th win of the season.
The Aztecs assisted on 14 of their 18 made field goals, a reflection of an offense that prioritized ball movement and spacing. Against a McNeese defense that entered the game ranked among the top 15 nationally in turnovers forced, SDSU remained composed, finishing with 14 assists against 20 turnovers while still generating high-quality looks throughout the game. Rather than getting sped up, the Aztecs dictated tempo.
The team will now face No. 2 Kansas on Thursday. Derrick Tuskan/SDSU Athletics
That poise translated directly into shooting efficiency. SDSU shot 40% from the field and knocked down eight three-pointers, while holding NcNeese to just 27% shooting overall and 1 of 10 from beyond the arc. Even when McNeese found success inside, scoring 30 points in the paint, the Aztec defensive pressure and contesting on the perimeter prevented any sustained comeback.
Balance also defined SDSU’s approach. Five players scored at least nine points, with Bailey Barnhard leading the way with 11. Naomi Panganiban brought in 10, while a trio of nine-point scorers - Kaelyn Hamilton, Nat Martinez, and Nala Williams - helped out. That distribution made it difficult for McNeese to key in on any one option, a luxury that becomes even more valuable in postseason play.
Naomi Panganiban dropped 10 points against McNeese. Derrick Tuskan/SDSU Athletics
If there was a turning point, it wasn’t a buzzer beater or highlight play. It was separation through consistency. SDSU steadily built its lead, outscoring McNeese in every quarter after a tight opening period and eventually stretching the margin to as many as 17 points late in the fourth. The Aztecs led for more than 38 minutes of game time, a testament to their control from early on.
“I’m so proud of this group and every win now is setting a new record,” head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson said. “We had a fantastic defensive effort today and that’s how we separated ourselves.”
More than anything, Sunday’s performance showcased a team comfortable in its identity. Against a disruptive opponent, SDSU didn’t try to out-chaos McNeese, but rather out-executed them.
Up next
Now the stakes rise.
With the win, the Aztecs advance to the WBIT quarterfinals, where they will travel to face No. 2 seed Kansas on Thursday on ESPN+ at 4:30 p.m. PDT.
Top photo credit: Derrick Tuskan/SDSU Athletics
