KELL, HEMSLEY HELP AZTECS SOAR PAST HAWKS 81-58

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By Liz Alper

Photos by Cris Rangel

November 16, 2016 (San Diego) - The lady Aztecs basketball team won against San Diego Christian on Monday night. Now it was the men’s turn to face the Hawks on Steve Fisher Court.

It was a slow start for both teams; the score was knotted at zero for a full minute until sophomore guard Jeremy Hemsley drained a three, followed by a two by sophomore center Zylan Cheatham and the Aztecs jumped out to a 5-2 lead early in the first half.

Despite their good start, the Aztecs ran into a bumpy road midway through the half.  While the Aztecs were plagued by foul trouble and missed baskets and rebounds, the Hawks were able to get back into the game and get within one.  But the Aztecs recovered and got in front 22-17 with just over six minutes left in the half.  But with under five to go, the Aztecs got their groove back and got some fouls in their favor and jumped out to a 26-19 lead with four minutes left in the half.  Hemsley and junior guard Trey Kell helped out with some huge buckets at the end of the half and the Aztecs went to the locker room up by 14, 37-23.  Kell and Hemsley led SDSU with 11 points each.

In the second half, San Diego Christian racked up four team fouls right away and SDSU took advantage, breaking away to a 41-26 lead with 18 minutes to go.  Hemsley and Kell invited senior guard Dakarai Allen to their party and with his help, the Aztecs took a 23-point, 53-30 lead with 12:31 left in the half.

The Aztecs had a much better second half.  They kept the fouls to a minimum and dominated on the offensive end of the court.  By the time there were four minutes left in the game, the Aztecs were up by 28, 77-49.  With a minute and a half left, they were up by 30, 79-49.  The Hawks whittled away, but it didn't matter.  The Aztecs rebounded from Monday night with a big win at home on Steve Fisher Court, 81-58.

The Aztecs have one more road trip before tournament play.  It’ll come against Cal in Sacramento on Monday night.  Tipoff is at 8:00 p.m.

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