Hawaii was a power in the Big West and has no intention of changing anything other than conference affiliation. The 54-44 victory against the stingiest defense in the WAC was huge in terms of league standings and standing in the league.
"San Diego State has a lot of respect in the league and beating them brings us that respect," said Hawaii guard BJ Itoman, who dribbled around and through the Aztecs zone-trap pressure. "It was a really big win for us, tying us for first, and it makes us feel good about the rest of way (schedule-wise). The other top teams, Wyoming and Colorado State, we'll be playing at home, in front of our crowd."
San Diego State remains atop the Pacific Division at 7-1, 12-6 overall. Hawaii (6-1, 13-4) and Colorado State (6-1, 15-3), the only WAC team to beat the Wahine, are a half-game back.
It's a position the Wahine want to keep hold onto this week against two teams they defeated on the road earlier: San Jose State Thursday and Fresno State Saturday. The top two teams in each division earn a first-round bye in the March postseason conference tournament in Las Vegas, while the other eight teams will need to win four games in five days to win it all.
"It was a good win for us because it gives (SDSU) a loss, too" said Wahine guard Nani Cockett, who finished with a team-high 17 points. "For me, it went back to my freshman year when we lost in the (NCAA tournament) first round to them. I wanted to beat them real bad. Even though they had different players, it was just the name San Diego State."
The Aztecs eliminated the Wahine, 81-75, from the 1994 NCAA tournament.
It was a different ballgame Saturday afternoon as Hawaii won its 12th in its last 13 starts. The WAC's top scoring team - Hawaii at 75.5 ppg - met the top defensive team - San Diego State, yielding 46.2 ppg.
They neutralized each other until midway in the second half when Hawaii held a 35-30 lead. Cockett and forward Brandi Ashby combined for 14 of the team's final 19 points, eight coming on free throws, to pull away.
"They are a very, very good defensive team," Hawaii coach Vince Goo said of San Diego State. "We held them to fewer points, so I guess we were the better defensive team. It was pretty ugly offensively on both ends, but it was the defense that was creating that.
"I think this gained us a lot of respect because of their reputation in the league, their being the kingpin of our division."
Goo credited the team's strong rebounding performance as a key. Hawaii had a 37-34 edge, led by Ashby's 10.
Hawaii's zone also allowed only one Aztec to score in double figures. Jodi Nowlin-Tres finished with 20 points as well as 12 rebounds.