The San Diego State Aztecs are in the middle of an 8-0 run to start in Mountain West conference play. They are playing their best basketball at the right time.

Stacie Terry-Hutson’s squad is 14-3 on the year and in sole possession of first place in the Mountain West standings. The young, yet uber-talented Aztecs defeated a UNLV squad in overtime this past Saturday to secure sole possession of first place in the standings.

Let’s take a look at the reasons behind this impressive and historic start for the Aztecs.

Something’s brewing on The Mesa pic.twitter.com/JPcBlAd5Xr

— San Diego State Women’s Basketball (@Aztec_WBB) January 16, 2026

Embracing the Aztec Culture

Something that has been a major part of the Aztec culture is a tough and gritty defenses that force turnovers. The Lady Aztecs embrace this ideal.

Coach Terry-Hutson makes forcing turnovers and playing chaotic but effective defense a point of emphasis, and it’s showing up big time in conference play.

In eight conference games so far, the Aztecs are averaging 13 forced turnovers, with the last game versus the Lady Rebels forcing a season high 24 turnovers. The Aztecs, according to Massey Ratings, rank as the 94th-best defense in the country. It is not an elite defense for the Aztecs, but it’s above the country’s average and is getting even better in conference play.

Now, let’s talk about how the Aztecs are able to produce one of the better offenses in the conference.

Sharing the love

San Diego State is averaging just under 74 points per game in conference play at 73.5, and it’s coming from everyone on the roster.

The most notable scorers of the Lady Aztecs are the young guards for Coach Terry-Hutson’s squad. Sophomores Naomi Panganiban and Natalie Martinez are the leading scorers for the Aztecs. Panganiban, the La Jolla Country Day native, has been nothing but clutch for the Aztecs amid this 14-3 start.

A couple of weeks ago, the Aztecs looked like they were going to drop one on the road in Logan, until Panganiban hit a game-winner from the elbow to give the Aztecs the victory. Panganiban averages 13.8 points per game and shoots 38% from beyond-the-arc on 4.6 attempts a game. When Coach Terry-Hutson needs a bucket, she calls on the young guard from La Jolla.

The cold never bothered @na0mipanganiban anyway pic.twitter.com/tb1Hyu5uWy

— San Diego State Women’s Basketball (@Aztec_WBB) January 10, 2026

Martinez is the second leading scorer on the Aztecs with 11.1 points per game.

Natalie Martinez can be inconsistent at times as a scorer, but when she is on, like this past Saturday, she can absolutely be a game-changer from both three-point land and inside the arc. Martinez showed that she can be the go-to option when the Aztecs need it.

Against the Lady Rebels, Martinez had 19 points along with three steals and two massive threes to help the Aztecs. The two young and talented scorers for the Aztecs are just a small part of an Aztec team that can get big games from everyone in its lineup.

.@Natm10_ starts the second half with back-to-back threes to put the Aztecs up five, their largest lead of the game pic.twitter.com/GdJb4FzMpN

— San Diego State Women’s Basketball (@Aztec_WBB) January 17, 2026

Nala Williams is the team’s point guard and its best perimeter defender, who can change games.

Against New Mexico, Williams had 14 points, five assists, and three steals for the Aztecs. In that same game, UNR transfer Kennedy Lee led the team with 15 points and nine rebounds.

The Lady Aztecs Bailey Barnhard has recorded multiple big-time games for the Aztecs this season. Barnhard, versus Grand Canyon, scored 14 points along with seven rebounds. Her best performance of the season came against the Cowgirls of Wyoming. The Del Norte High native scored 21 points for the Aztecs on 1o made field goals, including a three-point make.

Coach Terry-Hutson has a young but talented team with some quality experience in Williams and Lee.

How do the Lady Aztecs keep it going?

Are the Aztecs peaking at the wrong time? Will they be able to make back-to-back NCAA Tournaments?

These are valid questions people could be asking about this Lady Aztec squad. Even with a young squad, a majority of the younger players on the Aztecs played last year in the NCAA Tournament. Panganiban, Martinez, Barnhard, Kaelyn Hamilton, and Alyssa Jackson all played last year for Coach Terry-Hutson.

Mix these talented young players with the veterans brought onto the roster, and the sky is the limit for the Lady Aztecs.

In order to make a second straight NCAA Tournament, the Aztecs need to continue the elite defense and be opportunistic with their fast break opportunities. The Aztecs, according to Massey Ratings, are favored and expected to win nine of their last 12 conference games.

The Lady Aztecs’ next game is this Saturday at home against San Jose State.

Coach Dutcher may be getting the men’s team rolling at the right time. Coach Terry-Hutson is doing the same on the Mesa and deserves a ton of credit.

Bryant Thursby

Bryant is an Assistant Coach at Heritage High School. He is a big-time SDSU fanatic and a Padres fan.