LAWRENCE, Kan. – San Diego State’s season didn’t end quietly but rather with a reminder of what this group could be at its best.
In a high-scoring battle at Allen Fieldhouse, the fourth-seeded Aztecs pushed No. 2 Kansas to the brink before falling 85-78 in the WBIT quarterfinals. Even in defeat, San Diego State delivered one of its most complete offensive performances of the season. One that underscored both how far the program has come and where it could be headed next.
SDSU shot 55% from the field and knocked down 11 three pointers. For long stretches, the Aztecs weren’t just hanging with one of the tournament’s top seeds, they were dictating the pace, trading blows and, at times, taking control.
That control came from a blend of efficiency and balance. The Aztecs placed three players in double figures and nine players scored, but it was Naomi Panganiban who once again stood at the center of it all. The sophomore guard poured in 20 points, her eighth 20-point performance of the season, while navigating pressure, creating her own shot and getting to the line in key moments.
“I told Naomi before the game that I needed her to step up and compete and play at an elite level today,” head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson said. “And I thought she did just that.”
Every time Kansas threatened to create separation, the Aztecs had an answer.
WOMEN'S HIGHLIGHTS: AZTECS 78, KANSAS 85 - WBIT QUARTERFINALS. Courtesy of SDSU Athletics
The Aztecs erupted with 27 points in the second quarter, shooting over 80% from the field in the period, and followed it with a 23-point third quarter to seize momentum. Their shot-making wasn’t forced. It was built through movement, spacing and trust, the kind of offensive cohesion that has defined this team throughout its historic run.
“I’m just really proud of the effort and the fight we had tonight,” Terry-Hutson said.
The Jayhawks countered with efficiency of their own, shooting over 60% from the field and controlling key stretches late in the fourth quarter. Kansas capitalized on second-chance opportunities and interior scoring, finishing with 40 points in the paint, and used a late push to regain control in the closing minutes.
Still, the outcome did little to diminish what SDSU accomplished this season.
“I’m just really proud of our group,” Terry-Hutson said. “We’ve had an amazing year. We’ve won 27 games. We were our regular season champions and grateful for the WBIT and this opportunity to compete at a high level.”
With the loss, the Aztecs closed the year at 27 wins, tying a school record and marking one of the most successful campaigns in program history. From early-season growth to postseason resilience, SDSU established itself as a team capable of competing with top-tier opponents, and proved it on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
“This group is an unbelievable group of competitors,” Terry-Hutson said. “We were so excited to come play and there’s so much history here. I am just proud of this unit… And I’m hoping that we can build on this and jump start our new path as we enter the Pac 12.”
The core of this team showed it can score with elite competition, handle pressure and execute at a high level deep into March. Performances this efficient, confident and fearless don’t just happen. They’re built, and importantly, they’re repeatable.
Mountain West Sixth Player of the Year Kaelyn Hamilton and Kennedy Lee scored 15 and 14 points, respectively, while Nala Williams blanketed the stat sheet with six points, seven assists, two steals, and one rebound against zero turnovers.
“Super grateful for the season that we had and just want to give all glory to god, cause even though it didn’t go our way in the tournament, we’re still regular season champs,” Naomi Panganiban said. She went on to praise Williams who sat next to her in the press conference. “And grateful for Nala for joining us this past season and she's just a great floor general. On top of her being a great basketball player, she's just an even better human being.”
Terry-Hutson also joined Panganiban in praising Williams: “This is a young lady who came up from Division II and you could not tell. Player of the year in our conference, the stats speak for themselves… She’s [Williams] the light of our team and we’re going to miss her greatly.”
“I got a great group. Just proud to be their coach,” added Terry-Hutson.
If this season was any indication, San Diego State isn’t just arriving. It’s building toward something bigger.
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