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San Diego, CA — New year, new Aztecs; San Diego State rang in 2017 with a ball dropping performance, where the Aztecs made their Mountain West home debut against the Nevada Wolfpack on Wednesday (Jan. 4) night. San Diego State won by a final score of 83-78.
The Aztecs finished the night with 21 assists, the most since their match-up with Fresno state on Feb. 10, 2016.
San Diego State went into halftime with 52 points, 10 more points than they had total in their previous Mountain West matchup against New Mexico where they fell 85-42. Could it be a New Year’s resolution or just pure talent? Regardless, Head Coach Stacie Terry says this team has what it takes to put up 80 points in a game as they proved tonight.
“This is a team that has the potential to put up 80 points every time we step out on the court,” Terry said. “We have shooters in numerous positions, and it is something we are striving to do every game; our goal is to put up over 80 points always.”
While the Aztecs team as a whole was reaching team highs, so was Washington transfer Khalia Lark of San Diego State. Not only was she the team’s leading scorer, but Lark also reached a milestone as an Aztec, surpassing her career high in total points, as well as a career-high in three-pointers. She finished the night with 22 points and was 3-6 on three-point attempts. According to Terry, the best is yet to come for Lark.
“I don’t think she has even scratched the surface of what she can do. Offensively she has the skill set, but she hasn’t even touched her potential yet, she can be so much better on both sides of the ball.”
As for Lark, it is more so about the love she has for the team and basketball than just the progression she has made.
“I am just really happy to be here, it is like one big family,” Lark said. “Anything I can do to help the team win I’m going to do, I don’t really care about points, I would rather just give it all I can and hustle and just be that person for my team.”
It looks like Lark is on track to success, along with the rest of the San Diego State team. They will host Boise State on Jan. 7, in their next Mountain West match-up. As for Nevada, they will take on New Mexico that same day.