Aztecs’ Underdog Struggle Against UCLA Highlights a Glaring Divide in Women’s Basketball: A Battle of Giants vs. the Struggling Few, Echoing the Struggles of Society’s Most Marginalized
ANAHEIM – The San Diego State Aztecs women’s basketball team entered the 2025 season with the weight of expectations following their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 13 years. The opening game against the No. 3 UCLA Bruins was not just a test of skill but a stark representation of the disparities that exist within women’s college basketball, as the Aztecs faced a formidable opponent that boasted a roster filled with height, experience, and accolades.
Despite the odds stacked against them, the Aztecs showed resilience and determination. However, the final score of 77-53 highlighted not just a loss but the challenges facing programs like SDSU that are still building their identity in the competitive landscape of women’s basketball. The Bruins, with their towering 6-foot-7 All-American Lauren Betts leading the charge, dominated the boards with a staggering 43-19 advantage in rebounding and outscored the Aztecs 44-16 in the paint.
The Aztecs, who averaged nearly 5-foot-11 across their roster, faced a height differential that was palpable throughout the game. Such physical disadvantages are not uncommon in college sports, especially in women’s basketball, where some programs have the resources to attract taller, more skilled athletes, while others continue to struggle with recruitment and development. The Aztecs’ challenge is compounded by a youthful roster, featuring nine players with sophomore standing or less, which signifies a lack of experience at a critical time.
A closer look at the Aztecs’ roster reveals the impact of turnover and change within the team. With just two returning starters from the previous season’s Mountain West Tournament championship squad, the Aztecs were not only adjusting to new players but also to a new identity. The addition of five transfers, including players like Nala Williams, who was the NCAA DII Player of the Year, indicates SDSU’s strategy to bolster their ranks with experienced talent. However, integrating these players into the team dynamics poses its own set of challenges.
In the game against UCLA, guard Kaelyn Hamilton emerged as a standout, scoring 11 points off the bench and showcasing her shooting ability with 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Her performance reflects the potential that exists within the team, but it also underscores the need for consistent contributions from all players. The Aztecs had points from nine different players, signaling a diverse scoring approach, but the lack of a dominant scoring presence was evident.
The disparity between the two teams was not only physical but also experiential. UCLA, with its seasoned roster and recent success in the NCAA Tournament, presented a stark contrast to SDSU’s emerging squad. This highlights a broader trend within women’s college basketball, where programs like UCLA can attract top-tier talent due to their history and prestige, while others like SDSU face an uphill battle to establish themselves in a competitive environment.
The Aztecs’ starting lineup included three returning sophomores. Preseason All-Mountain West selection Naomi Panganiban contributed four points and five assists, while Nat Martinez added 10 points. Forward Bailey Barnhard led the team in rebounds with seven, showcasing her potential as a key player moving forward. The challenge remains in developing this young talent and building a cohesive unit that can compete against the likes of UCLA on a regular basis.
The game also marked the debut of several transfers, including Nala Williams and Kennedy Lee, who provide hope for the Aztecs’ future. Williams, who excelled at the DII level, brings a wealth of experience and skill, yet the transition to Division I basketball can be daunting. The performance of these players will be critical as the season progresses, especially against tough opponents.
The Aztecs’ defense showed promise, winning the turnover battle by forcing 13 turnovers from UCLA while committing only 10. This aspect of their game could be a cornerstone as they develop their strategy moving forward. However, the challenge of converting defensive stops into offensive opportunities remains a crucial area for improvement.
The presence of new players, including sophomores who redshirted last season, adds an intriguing dynamic to the squad. Alyssa Jackson’s return after a year off the court and the glimpses of freshman Kendall Mosley indicate that the Aztecs are not without talent. However, they will need to find ways to capitalize on this potential effectively.
As the Aztecs look to the future, they must also navigate the reality of roster changes and the impact of graduated players. The departures of key contributors from the previous season, along with the transfers of other prominent players, create a gap that the current team must work to fill. This transition phase is critical, as it often determines the trajectory of a program in rebuilding.
The attention now shifts to the next game against Cal State San Marcos, where the Aztecs will have an opportunity to showcase their growth and resilience. The special championship celebration planned for that game, including the unveiling of the Mountain West Tournament title banner, serves as a reminder of past achievements while also emphasizing the need to build a successful future.
The ongoing narrative in women’s college basketball is one of growth, struggle, and ambition. Programs like SDSU face significant challenges in the shadow of giants like UCLA. However, the journey of building a competitive team is a reflection of broader societal themes, where the fight for recognition and respect continues amidst the overwhelming odds. As the Aztecs push forward, their journey may resonate with many, symbolizing the aspirations of those striving for success against formidable barriers.
ANAHEIM – The San Diego State Aztecs women’s basketball team knew the season opener following their first NCAA Tournament trip in 13 years was a tall order, both literally and figuratively, facing the national No. 3 UCLA Bruins.
So despite being undersized and breaking in a roster featuring just two returning starters and two more returning letterwinners from their 2025 Mountain West Tournament championship squad, the Aztecs scrapped against experienced UCLA in a 77-53 loss on Monday night at the Honda Center in the Orange County Hoops Classic.
Guard Kaelyn Hamilton led SDSU (0-1) with 11 points off the bench and made 3-of-5 from 3-point land, as the Scarlet and Black got buckets from nine different players against the reigning Big Ten Tournament champion and Final Four-advancing Bruins. Returning 6-foot-7 All American, National Defensive Player of the Year and Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Lauren Betts led the Bruins with 21 points, as UCLA had a 43-19 advantage on the glass and 44-16 in paint scoring.
The average height differential of around three inches—UCLA averages nearly 6-foot-2 across their 12-player roster to SDSU’s almost 5-foot-11 over 14 players—provided a challenge that the Aztecs won’t regularly be facing.
What SDSU will have to contend with is youth amongst their returnees, as nine players have sophomore standing or less, though two have utilized redshirt seasons. There’s also the matter of incorporating five transfers, three of whom are the only seniors on the roster.
The starting lineup featured three returning sophomores, as preseason All-Mountain West selection guard Naomi Panganiban had 4 points and five assists, guard Nat Martinez had 10 points on 2-of-3 shooting from 3, as well as forward Bailey Barnhard, who scored 8 points and led SDSU with seven rebounds.
Transfer guard Nala Williams, who was the NCAA DII Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year with Cal State Dominguez Hills last year, scored 10 points in her DI debut, while 6-foot forward Kennedy Lee scored 3 points in her SDSU debut after being limited to just nine games last season at Nevada.
Hamilton, a sophomore who emerged as an energetic defensive presence down the stretch last season, saw the most minutes off the bench as she played 19 and was one of six different players with a steal. SDSU won the turnover battle, forcing 13 by UCLA while only giving away 10.
The night also saw the Scarlet and Black debuts of their three additional transfers, including 6-foot-2 junior forward Maria Konstantinidou, who led Fresno State in blocks while snatching the second-most rebounds. CJ Latta, a 5-foot-10 sophomore guard who led Utah State in 3’s and assists last season, saw her first bucket splash from beyond the arc in the final seconds of the third quarter. 6-foot guard/forward Sofia Kelemeni also got a couple minutes of action after playing only 15 games at San José State last season and averaging 9.3 points.
Sophomore guard Alyssa Jackson made her first appearance after redshirting last season, having made four starts and appearing in all 35 games with the Aztecs during the 2023-24 season which saw them advance all the way to the Mountain West Tournament title game. There was also a sneak peek at Mountain West Freshman of the Year guard Kendall Mosley, who played three of her four minutes in the second quarter.
The Bruins scored the first 8 points of the game and led by 3 points after the first quarter, then turned it on in the second quarter to lead 37-22 at the half. Guard Gabriela Jaquez scored 11 of her 15 points in the second half and guard Charisse Legner-Walker got the start after sitting out all of last season with an ACL injury, with All-America honorable mention guard Kiki Rice coming off the bench.
So while the Scarlet and Black saw the departure of graduated forwards Kim Villalobos, Adryana Quezada and Cali Clark, plus transfers of guards MW Tournament MVP Veronica Sheffey to TCU, 3-point specialist Erin Houpt to Boston College and the graduate move of Meghan Fiso to Pepperdine, there’s a reason why this season’s promotional material has emphasized ‘the future is HERe’.
The first opportunity to see it at Viejas Arena will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8 when the Aztecs take on Cal State San Marcos. There will be a special championship celebration, featuring the unveiling of the Mountain West Tournament title banner—the first 500 fans will receive a replica—as well as a presentation of the championship rings before the game.