Arceneaux Sparks Aztecs to 73-63 Victory Over USD

SAN DIEGO — For the first time since returning to the San Diego State lineup, Shelda Arceneaux took command of a game, pacing a sluggish Aztec offense to a 73-63 victory over the University of San Diego Sunday afternoon in Peterson Gym.

The forward dominated both ends of the court with 15 points, 13 rebounds, 10 steals and 4 assists. Arceneaux missed the first four games of the season because she had failed to maintain enough units at the end of the spring semester.

The victory gives the Aztecs a 15-0 record over USD since the two teams started the series in 1977. The only consolation for the Toreras is that Sunday’s game was the closest in a series that has SDSU winning by 36 points a game.

USD (3-5) used its strong outside shooting to take a 16-12 lead early in the game. But SDSU (3-4) got its offense rolling, outscoring the Toreras, 15-6, to take a 27-22 lead.

The Toreras, who had played at UC Irvine the previous night, became tired in the second half and couldn’t keep up with the running Aztecs, who had not played in more than a week.

“The end of the first half is where we lost the ballgame,” USD Coach Kathy Marpe said. “We got tentative and we let them get back in their offensive flow.”

USD had a chance to come back early in the second half with the Aztecs leading, 44-38. SDSU’s leading scorer, forward Jessica Haynes, was called for her fourth foul with 14:29 left, and two seconds later point guard Lisa Stevens received her fourth foul for blocking.

The Toreras cut the lead to 44-42 on free throws by Jane Gilpin and Candida Echeverria. But Arceneaux gave the Aztecs the momentum again with a basket inside and a steal and pass to guard Debbi Rinder to put SDSU ahead, 48-42.

Guards Julie Evans and Gilpin led USD with 18 points apiece. Rinder led the Aztecs with 17 points.