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Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
February 24, 2024 (Fresno) - No. 19-ranked San Diego State scored the first 12 points of the game and did not look back from there as it dismantled Fresno State 73-41 at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. on Saturday night.
San Diego State (21-7, 10-5 Mountain West Conference) has won three of its last four.
Jaedon LeDee finished with 22 points on 8-of 11 shooting including 15 points in the first half and grabbed 11 rebounds for his 10th double-double of the season. He is the first Aztecs player to accomplish the feat since Jalen McDaniels in 2018-19. LeDee also had a season-high three blocks.
After the game, LeDee was asked about SDSU's road record this season and said: "I feel like every road game we had, maybe outside of one, was a winnable game and we wish we had those back right now. All we can do now is be in the present and we took care of business today."
Jay Pal added 14 points for the Aztecs highlighted by a pair of dunks, Reese Waters had 12 and Micah Parrish 10.
It was the second straight double-digit loss for Fresno State (11-16, 4-10), which had a 27-point loss to the Aztecs on Jan. 3.
Isaiah Hill led the Bulldogs with 12 points. Xavier DuSell added 10.
San Diego State opened on a 29-5 run and led 42-16 at the break. LeDee was 5 of 7 from the floor, made all four of his free throws and grabbed eight rebounds in the first half. Fresno State shot 24% (6 of 25) and missed 11 of 13 3-point attempts before the break. The Bulldogs' 16 points in the first half was the second lowest total in a half allowed by SDSU on the season. The Aztecs also grabbed 25 rebounds and had eight assists to go with five blocks in the opening period.
The Aztecs outscored Fresno State 28-12 in the paint, 14-8 on second chance points, 17-0 on the fast break and 18-2 off the bench. SDSU also finished ahead of the Bulldogs in rebounds (52-34), assists (13-3) and blocks (9-4). San Diego State shot better in all three facets of the game: from the floor (41.8%-24.6%), from deep (29.6%-18.5%) and from the line (81.8%-66.7%).
"We shared the ball at a really high level in the first half, it really moved easily," said SDSU Head Coach Brian Dutcher following tonight's win. "It was good to see that we were so connected offensively, moving the ball and the fast break was good. We 11 assists. Our defense was solid. We executed a game plan and I know they're injured but there's nothing easy in college basketball. We wanted to make sure that we got off to a start where we could maintain it, which we did. We built it in the second half, which we did. I'm so proud of our effort."
San Diego State hosts San Jose State on Tuesday night on Steve Fisher Court at Viejas Arena. The Aztecs' Black History Month Celebration game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and San Diego Sports 760.
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