UC San Diego falls in first round of NCAA women’s basketball tournament San Diego State advanced to the second round of the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament after defeating UC Irvine 61-55 in a tightly contested first-round matchup at the University of San Diego. The Aztecs, playing across town due to Viejas Arena hosting the men’s NCAA Tournament, secured the victory with a decisive performance from the free-throw line. Naomi Panganiban broke a 55-55 tie with two free throws with 33.2 seconds remaining, and Nala Williams added four crucial free throws in the final 20.3 seconds to seal the win. The game was marked by a series of pivotal moments, including a controversial foul on Panganiban that led to her hitting eight consecutive free throws. After the Aztecs took a 26-5 lead, UC Irvine’s Hunter Hernandez fouled Williams, forcing the Anteaters’ leading scorer out of the game with five fouls. Williams’ four free throws in the final 20 seconds capped a perfect 13-for-13 performance from the charity stripe for San Diego State. UC Irvine, which finished the season 26-7, also went 9-for-9 from the foul line. The Aztecs’ victory came after a back-and-forth contest that saw UC Irvine take a 48-45 lead in the second half. San Diego State’s Bailey Barnhard and Panganiban responded with back-to-back baskets, putting the Aztecs ahead 51-48. However, Irvine’s Hernandez tied the game at 55-53 before Kennedy Lee’s final drive with 1:21 remaining brought the score to 55-55. Panganiban led the Aztecs with 22 points, her seventh 20-point game of the season, while Lee added 11 points and eight rebounds despite suffering a facial injury. Barnhard contributed eight points, nine rebounds, and five assists, and Williams finished with eight points and three assists.#san_diego_state #ncaa_womens_basketball_tournament #uc_san_diego #uc_ireland #jenny_craig_pavilion
