SDSU WBB back on track with WBIT win against UC Irvine
Naomi Panganiban shoots over a defender at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on March 19, 2026. Photo by Don De Mars/EVT
San Diego State Women’s Basketball got the win in the first round of the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament, beating UC Irvine 61-55.
SAN DIEGO — After an unfortunate game against Air Force Academy in the Mountain West Tournament, the Aztecs’ hopes of March Madness redemption were dashed in a single game. While they didn’t make the dance, they were still placed as a four-seed in the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament, or WBIT.
Their first assignment was UCI, hosted at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on the University of San Diego’s campus. The game was close, with the Anteaters holding a lead with 2:38 left in the game. But Naomi Panganiban showed why she’s been the cornerstone of SDSU’s offense.
Panganiban had 22 points, was 9-9 from the line, and produced three assists. Kennedy Lee came up with huge buckets throughout the contest and finished second in scoring with 11 points.
An otherwise quiet night from Mountain West Player of the Year Nala Williams came to life at the very end of the game. Williams had the ball in hand with just 20 seconds left and only a three-point lead. This possession means ice it or give UCI a chance. Williams draws a foul, makes both free throws, defense forces a turnover, and makes two more at the line. Strong finish from the team, and they look to build on it moving to round two.
Second Round of the WBIT
In either a fortuitous turn of events or a wake-up call for who the real threat is (both can be true), McNeese handily beat 1-seed Texas A&M 68-48 to move onto the second round. It’s McNeese’s first Power Four win in program history, and their 29th win of the season.
The Cowgirls will be fighting the Aztecs on Sunday, March 22; the winner goes to the quarterfinals. That matchup will be against either #2 Kansas or #3 Rice, both coming off one-possession wins as well.
The Aztecs have won 22 of their last 24 now, and have built some momentum in win-or-go-home games.
Nate Tubbs is a recent graduate of Journalism at San Diego State University. In his time at SDSU, he wrote and photographed several different sports for Aztec Link, the school’s NIL collective. He also co-hosted a weekly podcast featuring Aztec athletes, sharing their stories and goals for the season. Tubbs is passionate about photography, storytelling, and most of all, San Diego sports.