LOGAN, Utah — San Diego State came back from 11 down with 7:30 left in the game to win it on a Naomi Panganiban jumper with 4 seconds left on Saturday at the Spectrum against Utah State, 73-72.
After going up 36-32 at the half, the Aztecs (12-3, 6-0 MW) shot a paltry 26.7% in the third quarter, going 4-15 overall and zero for seven on threes, ending the third quarter down by nine to the Aggies (6-9, 2-4 MW), 56-47.
With five lead changes and two ties with 4:51 remaining in the game, the final five minutes featured a combined 21 points that featured three threes, four twos, and four made free throws that you had to see to believe.
Utah State’s lead stretched to 11 with 7:30 remaining when Aztec (and former Utah State player) CJ Latta ignited an 8-0 run with a three, then Panganiban followed with her own three, and Latta shot an uncontested layup to close to three points down, 60-57.
After going behind and tying again, the Aztecs went up 64-63 with 4:45 remaining with a Nala Williams three.
Utah State stayed in the game, depending on free throws down the stretch, to take back the lead 67-64 with under three minutes left. The Aztecs took the lead back to 69-67 off a Martinez steal and made layup and a Williams three but Utah State was not done.
The Aggies scored with one minute remaining to tie the game 69-69.
Panganiban made a layup with 30 seconds remaining, 71-69 Aztecs.
Naomi Panganiban scored 23 points and hit the game winner with 4 seconds remaining. Credit: San Diego State Athletics
With 14.1 seconds remaining, Utah State freshman Paloma Munoz Herreros hit a three and the Aggies went back up 72-71.
With 10.5 seconds remaining, Panganiban got the ball near half court and drove inside to take a pull-up jumper for two, to go up 73-72 with 4.4 seconds remaining.
Utah State missed a shot in the final seconds and SDSU kept their perfect conference record alive.
Panganiban scored 23 points and four assists. Nala Williams contributed 11 points and 4 assists, while Kennedy Lee scored 12 to go with seven rebounds.
“We found a way to win and that’s all that matters. No matter how we played or what the score was, it’s still a W in the win column.”
Next Up
San Diego State faces New Mexico on Wednesday at home at the field trip game. Get tickets here or watch on the Mountain West Network.