SDSU Women's Team Wins 17th Conference Game for Title

Down 11 points at halftime on the road, the San Diego State Aztecs women's basketball team refused to let their championship dreams slip away Wednesday night in Boise, Idaho.

The team struggled early, scoring just 21 first-half points and making only one three-pointer against second-place Boise State. But everything changed after the break.

SDSU exploded for 45 second-half points, draining 10 three-pointers to complete the comeback and win 66-64. The victory clinched the Mountain West regular season championship outright and gave the Aztecs their 17th conference win this season, a program record.

"I was disappointed with our effort or lack thereof in the first half," head coach Stacie Terry-Hutson said after the game. "We completely flipped the script in the third quarter when we came out and went on that 10-0 run."

Naomi Panganiban led the charge with 19 points, while Kaelyn Hamilton added 13 and Bailey Barnhard contributed 10. The Aztecs' ability to spread the scoring around has been key to their success all season.

The team started the second half on a 10-0 run and eventually built a six-point lead. Boise State fought back to retake the advantage, but Panganiban hit back-to-back three-pointers midway through the fourth quarter to give SDSU the lead for good.

The Broncos had one last chance, getting the ball back down two points with 24.8 seconds left. But a crucial turnover sealed their fate, and SDSU hit their free throws to lock up the championship.

Why This Inspires

This win represents more than just a trophy. The Aztecs finished 23-4 overall with a 17-1 conference record, showing that perseverance and teamwork can overcome any deficit. After committing four turnovers in the first five minutes, they had just five more over the remaining 35 minutes of play.

Coach Terry-Hutson summed up the team's mentality perfectly: "We weren't playing for the standings. We were playing for the standard." That commitment to excellence, even when trailing by double digits, is what makes this team special.

The Aztecs are now 16-0 this season when three or more players score in double figures, proving that basketball really is a team sport.