Cowgirls Can’t Stop Clements, Lose to San Diego State

Courtney Clements was a 1-woman wrecking crew Tuesday night in the Arena-Auditorium. She matched her season-high with 25 points and helped San Diego State clinch at least a share of the Mountain West regular-season title with the win over the Wyoming Cowgirls 68-55. It was the Aztecs first win in Laramie since 1997.

Clements scored 10 straight points during a stretch in the second half to keep the Aztecs in the lead. Her last basket put San Diego State ahead 51-46 with 7:48 left. Wyoming closed within two points on three different occasions, but couldn't get over the top. The Aztecs knocked down 11-of-12 free throws in the last 6:15 to preserve the victory.

Wyoming failed to score in the final 3:17 of their home finale.

The first half was back-and-forth. The teams traded the lead 14 times, and there were two ties. Each team recorded a 7-0 run, but neither team led by more than five points. The Aztecs led at half, 30-29.

San Diego State (21-5, 11-1) opened the second half on a 9-4 spurt for a 39-33 lead with 13:07 remaining, but Wyoming hung tough. They answered with their own 9-4 run and closed within one point on a Kayla Woodward 3-point play, 42-43, at the 10:14 mark. Every time the Aztecs tried to get separation, Wyoming responded. They were within two points, at 55-57, on a pair of Chaundra Sewell free throws before the offense struggled down the stretch.

UW (11-14, 7-5) was led by Alison Gorrell with a career-high 16 points and 5 rebounds. Ashley Sickles added 11 points. Wyoming shot 38.5 percent (20-52) from the field, but was just 2-of-11 from 3.

Clements finished 8-of-15 on field goals, was 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and a perfect 6-for-6 at the foul line. She also added 6 boards, 2 steals and committed zero turnovers in 35 minutes of action. Malia Nahinu was the only other Aztec in double figures with 12 points. San Diego State shot 44 percent (23-52) from the field, which included 4-0f-7 from 3. They went 18-0f-21 (86%) from the charity stripe. They out-rebounded the Cowgirls 38-to-27.

The Cowgirls will finish out the regular season on the road before heading to Las Vegas for the Mountain West Championships. They play at Boise State this Saturday, Feb. 25th. Tip is set for 2 p.m., coverage will start at 1:30 p.m. on KOWB.