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Payback for the San Diego State Aztecs might not have to wait any longer.

The young Aztecs might just put some hurt on the University of New Mexico on Saturday.

The Aztecs have been a Don Flanagan whipping post like no other Mountain West Conference women's basketball team except for Air Force.

The Aztecs have lost 16 straight games to Flanagan's Lobos. UNM has won 21 of their past 22 matchups.

But the hurting on the hardcourt might take a flip Saturday, even though the Aztecs' starting lineup is a bunch of pups.

In fact, it's the youngest starting group for SDSU since 1983-84. The Aztecs start two freshman, two sophomores and a senior.

So, are these run-and-gun babies good enough, poised enough, talented enough to stand up to the fundamental discipline of a Flanagan-coached UNM team?

Can they stop Lobos senior center Dionne Marsh?

Maybe.

The Flanagan-coached Lobos have lost four of their past five games. They are flirting with handing Flanagan his worst record since the 22-13 team of 2000-01.

The Lobos, coming off a 58-52 MWC loss Wednesday to Wyoming, also have a lot of youth wrapped around Marsh inside and senior Brandi Kimble on the wing.

But the Aztecs might have somebody to slow down Marsh.

Saturday's game could be a glimpse at the changing of the guard as to whom is the MWC's queen of the paint.

Marsh arguably is the league's top center when she is motivated and energized. She was against Wyoming, scoring 24 points.

SDSU's Paris Johnson, a 6-foot-4 freshman, was tabbed to be the MWC Freshman of The Year. She might even be good enough to leapfrog onto the MWC All-Conference team this season.

Johnson already has been a MWC Player of The Week. In SDSU's 86-63 loss at TCU on Wednesday, Johnson had 13 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks and four assists.

Johnson is a do-it-all with height and a shooting touch.

But is she ready for Marsh?

SDSU is 9-4 overall and a force at home when the Aztecs run-and-gun stuff is working.

SDSU's problem with TCU might have been trying to run with the Horned Frogs on TCU turf.

"They (Aztecs) have a lot of athleticism," Flanagan said. "They are pressing a lot. But you don't press TCU at TCU."

Flanagan said TCU's edge in Fort Worth was the ability to match up with SDSU's athleticism while having a big advantage in experience.

The Lobos might not be able to match SDSU's athleticism. And UNM's edge in experience isn't all that much.

UNM's Amy Beggin said a key to winning in San Diego would be breaking the Aztecs' press and scoring lots of layups.

Flanagan might be happy to see some perimeter stuff fall, too.

"I have to get more help from the perimeter," he said. "We have to get more offense."

The Lobos shot .361 percent from behind the line in league play last season. They are shooting .302 this season overall and shot 20 percent against Wyoming.

If the Aztecs press, UNM will have opportunities in transition to make layups and find open treys.

But will the Lobos make the shots?

If not, the hurting on the hardcourt might be with the team coming back to New Mexico.