SAN DIEGO - After a competitive first half, San Diego State’s basketball team (9-3, 3-0 MW) used a decisive third quarter run to create breathing room and went on to defeat Air Force (7-6, 1-2 MW) 62-51 in a conference matchup Wednesday in Viejas Arena. With the victory, the Aztecs extended their win streak to five, and are undefeated in conference play.
Kaelyn Hamilton drops 10 points against Air Force on Wednesday. Jerry Sanchez / San Diego State Athletics
The Falcons trailed just 28-22 at halftime, hanging around despite shooting struggles, but the tone shifted quickly after the break. San Diego State outscored Air Force 21-10 in the third quarter, turning a manageable deficit into a commanding advantage that never fully disappeared.
The Aztecs found their rhythm by attacking the inside and spacing the floor, shooting 47% in the third while forcing Air Force into contested looks. A pair of three pointers during the quarter, one from Naomi Panganiban and another from Bailey Barnhard, helped stretch the defense and open driving lanes.
By the time the Aztecs entered the fourth quarter, up 49-32, the game’s momentum had firmly swung.
That discipline showed up most clearly in the paint. San Diego State finished with a 30-18 advantage in points in the paint, consistently winning physical battles near the rim. Nala Wiliams led the Aztecs with 12 points, while Kaelyn Hamilton added 10 points on a 5 of 6 shooting, providing steady interior presence.
“We play really well together,” Hamilton said. “Our chemistry is really good on and off the court.”
Nat Martinez goes for a three-point shot against Air Force. Jerry Sanchez / San Diego State Athletics
Depth also played a key role in the game. San Diego State’s bench outscored Air Force’s 20-6, with contributions coming throughout the rotation. The balanced scoring allowed the Aztecs to handle brief scoring droughts without losing control.
“I believe in our bench,” SDSU’s head coach, Stacie Terry-Hutson, said after the game. “I believe our depth is our superpower like it was last year.”
Air Force struggled to find consistency from the perimeter, finishing 3 for 17 from three-point range.
The Falcons trimmed the deficit to 10 midway through the fourth, but each push was met with a timely Aztec response, either a defensive stop or a second chance opportunity that halted momentum.
“I think we are a challenging team to scout against because we have a lot of weapons,” Terry-Hutson said.
For SDSU, the team shot 42% overall, moved the ball effectively and avoided relying on a single scorer to close the game. In a contest that was close for two quarters, it was the third quarter surge that ultimately made the difference.
The Aztecs are tied for first in the Mountain West Conference standings, alongside Colorado State and UNLV, all starting their seasons 3-0.
Next Up
San Diego now faces Wyoming on Jan. 3 at 1 p.m. in Laramie, Wyo. SDSU is a perfect 7-0 in Quad 4 wins (for details, see the NCAA women’s basketball NET rankings). Although Wyoming is also a Quad 4 team with a NET ranking of 272, the Cowgirls plays in the highest altitude stadium across the nation’s Division 1 basketball arenas, making games there always a challenge regardless of Wyoming’s record (4-8, 1-2 MW). Watch on the Mountain West Network.