Aztecs to Face Duke in Memphis

With the game winding down, the 100 Aztec fans gathered Tuesday night at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center clapped and chanted, “Defense! Defense!” loud enough for the women’s basketball team to hear them more than 1,100 miles away in Austin, Texas. That’s where the 11th-seeded Aztecs upended the third-seeded West Virginia Mountaineers, 64-55 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament March 23.

Fred ('74) and Sharon Lear anticipate an Aztec score at the March 23 Aztecs vs. West Virginia Mountaineers NCAA Tournament watch party.

“I am so excited for the Aztecs,” exclaimed Sharon Lear, who attended the alumni center watch party with her husband, Fred (’74). “They worked so hard all year. They’re a great team.”

After a tense couple of hours that had fans cheering and jumping from their seats, there were tears, hugs, and high-fives among the Aztec faithful after the team pulled out the win to make them the first Aztec Division I basketball team – men’s or women’s – to make the so-called “Sweet Sixteen” round of the tournament.

“Wow!” said Sarah Eishen (’90). “This was awesome! They’re in the Sweet Sixteen! In 23 years of Aztec basketball, this is my first (Sweet Sixteen experience). I’m going to Memphis!”

Aztec fan Sarah Eishen ('90) wins a T-shirt in a raffle during the Aztec vs. West Virginia watch party at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.

Eishen plays trombone in the pep band and went to Providence with the men’s team for their first-round tournament game against Tennessee March 18. The women will play Duke in the Memphis Regional on Saturday and Eishen says she’ll be there to play The Fight Song and cheer for the team.

“They’re one of the best teams on The Mesa and I couldn’t be happier for them,” she said.
 
As for the watch party at the alumni center, “It was awesome. I loved the turnout,” Eishen assessed.

“It was a lot of fun,” agreed Lear. “I would rather have been there (at the game in Austin), but couldn’t make it.” She says she will be at the next watch party to back the team on Saturday.
 
The Aztecs are scheduled to play Duke at 11:04 a.m. San Diego time Saturday, March 27. The SDSU Alumni Association and SDSU Athletics will sponsor an indoor/outdoor BBQ and watch party for Aztec fans at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.  Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. You must register for this event as it will likely sell out.

View a photo album of the Aztecs vs. West Virginia watch party.

View a photo album of the Aztecs' Sweet Sixteen sendoff!