Nov 21, 2001
By BERNIE WILSON
AP Sports Writer
SAN DIEGO - Tony Bland scored 24 points for the third straight game, matching his career-high, and the San Diego State Aztecs came to life in the closing minutes to beat Norfolk State 78-71 in their home opener Tuesday night.
Randy Holcomb added 23 points and 13 rebounds for San Diego State (2-1), which was mostly mediocre for the first 33 minutes. With the victory, Steve Fisher-coached teams are 11-0 in home openers.
Bland, one of the Aztecs' two high-profile transfers, and Holcomb took control to put away the pesky Spartans (0-3), who open the season with eight straight road games.
With Norfolk State leading 61-58, Bland hit a 3-pointer with 6:45 left, then had a steal and a layup for a 63-61 lead.
Jamal Mills made a jumper and a layup to put the Spartans up 65-63 before SDSU went on a 13-2 run to put it away. Holcomb, SDSU's leading returning scorer and rebounder, scored five points in the run, and Deandre Moore and Karlo Kovacic hit 3-pointers for a 76-67 lead with 2 minutes left.
Bland's career-best coming into this season was 22 points against West Virginia while with Syracuse during the 1999-2000 season. Bland also had a career-high nine assists. His previous best was six, three times while with Syracuse.
Brandon Smith, SDSU's other big-name transfer, made his debut in the second half, 15 days after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. Fisher had said he didn't think Smith would play until a home game next Tuesday against UC San Diego.
SDSU beat Norfolk State 79-69 last year.
The Aztecs were awful in the first half. They shot just 36 percent and were out-rebounded 26-18.
Terrance Winston, who scored 16 for Norfolk State, hit two straight shots for a 32-24 lead with 3:58 left before halftime.
Karlo Kovacic scored seven of SDSU's last nine points, including two 3-pointers, and the Aztecs led 36-32 at halftime.
Daryl Towe also scored 16 points for Norfolk State.