SDSU MEN'S BASKETBALL: AZTECS TURN IT AROUND IN SECOND HALF, BEAT TOREROS 69-59

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Updated with box score and postgame notes and quotes

Story and photo by Liz Alper

November 11, 2016 (San Diego) - Veterans Day marked the start of the college basketball season and the San Diego State men's basketball team took to the floor against their crosstown rival, USD.

The Aztecs were plagued by fouls in the early going, racking up six team fouls in the first seven minutes.  But a big three by junior guard Trey Kell helped a lot and gave the Aztecs their first lead of the game at 10-8.  The teams see-sawed back and forth until the Toreros hit a big three of their own to go up 21-14, their biggest lead of the half.  But better rebounding helped the Aztecs reclaim the lead.  Kell led SDSU with 13 points in the first half and sophomore center Zylan Cheatham hit a big three to give the Aztecs some breathing room and the score was 35-33 SDSU at the half.

In the second half, the Toreros came out on the attack, but a few big buckets from Cheatham and sophomore guard Jeremy Hemsley put the Aztecs up 44-39 five minutes in.  With a big three by D’Erryl Williams, the Aztecs took their biggest lead of the game at eight, 49-41.  But it was Hemsley who put the Aztecs up big.  A monster dunk and a nice lob shot gave the Aztecs a commanding 53-41 lead with under 10 minutes to play.  Those buckets propelled Hemsley over Kell for a game-leading 23 points.  A much more impressive second half gave the Aztecs much-wanted revenge over the Toreros and they started their season off with a 69-59 win.

Next up for the Aztec ballers is a quick road trip to Gonzaga on Monday.  Tipoff is at 9:00 p.m.

Box score

Postgame notes

Postgame quotes

 


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