San Diego State, Utah State advance in MW women’s tournament

Led by 17 points from McKynzie Fort, eighth-seeded San Diego State came away with a 62-44 victory over Wyoming in the first round of the Mountain West Conference tournament on Monday.

The Aztecs broke away in the fourth period, outscoring Wyoming 17-5.

“It was a close game going into that fourth quarter, and I thought our young ladies responded well to the numerous runs that they made,” head coach Stacie Terry said at her postgame press conference.

The Aztecs will move on to play Colorado State — the top team in the conference — on Tuesday.

UTAH STATE 59, UNR 35 — Nevada shot just .186 in the game, the lowest field goal percentage in team history, and its 35 points tied a team low.

Utah State will face Fresno State, the second-ranked team, in the tournament Tuesday.

ALL MOUNTAIN WEST — UNLV sophomore Dakota Gonzalez was named an All-Mountain West honorable mention, the conference announced. Gonzalez, UNLV’s top scorer, averaged 14 points in 28 games.

Colorado State junior Ellen Nystrom was named the conference’s Player of the Year after helping lead the Rams to the conference regular-season title.