Atim Otii scored 17 points to lead five players in double figures as San Diego State shot 68 percent from the field to defeat Illinois State 88-59 iun the opening round of the 2000 Pacific Bell Classic Friday at Cox Arena.
San Diego State, 1-2, connected on 32 of 47 shots from the field and held a 37-18 rebounding advantage to claim its first win of the season.
Illinois State, 1-2, stormed out of the gate quickly on offense with Nadia Peruch knocking down a pair of 10-foot baseline jumpers, and Kellie Johnson and Shandeen Hunt each hitting their initial shots to give the 'Birds an 8-2 advantage.
The Aztecs answered with a quick 10-0 run and never looked back. Using quick outlet passes and a 19-10 first-half rebounding advantage, SDSU's fast-break offense continually beat the 'Birds down the floor and opened a 14-point advantage.
"Our transition defense was probably the main reason we picked up this loss," said Illinois State coach Jenny Yopp. "We weren't getting back and match up players as quickly as we needed to and that's just goig tokill you on the road against a team like San Diego State."
The 'Birds used a 7-0 run keyed by freshmen Taren O'Brien and Jaci McCormack to cut the Aztec lead to 40-33 at the half, but SDSU po;ued it on in the second half, hitting 17 of 24 from the field and 11 of 12 from the free throw line. Claire Swinbank scorched the Redbirds from outside, while Otii, Tanisha Knight and Nicolette McCarny dominated the low post.
McCormack led the Redbirds with 13 points and Peruch added 10. O'Brien finished with nine points while Hunt and Steph Reichle added eight each.
The Redbirds face Gonzaga, a 72-60 loser to Tennessee-Chattanooga earlierin the day, in Saturday's consolation game.
