Nov. 21, 2003
SAN DIEGO - Freshman Marcus Slaughter scored a game-high 19 points in a reserve role and point guard Wesley Stokes had a solid debut in leading San Diego State to a 74-44 win over Long Beach State in the season-opener for both teams Friday night.
Stokes, who sat out last season after transferring from Missouri, had 17 points and six assists. Slaughter, who played at J.W. North High in Riverside, Calif., left midway through the second half with a slightly sprained right ankle.
Freshman Brandon Heath, the Aztecs' other starting guard, scored 12 points.
San Diego State used an 18-0 run midway through the first half to take a 25-5 lead. Slaughter made three 3-point shots from the baseline during the run and Stokes made another.
Stokes' most impressive play came late in the first half when he stole the ball from Kevin Roberts, led a 2-on-1 break and made an alley-oop pass to Slaughter, who made a slam dunk for a 34-11 lead.
Forward Kevin Roberts scored 17 for Long Beach before fouling out. The 49ers shot just 21.4 percent in the first half and finished with 29.1 percent. San Diego State shot just 37.9 percent.
San Diego State opened its fifth season under coach Steve Fisher. He led the Aztecs to the NIT last year and the school's first Division I postseason victory, following an NCAA appearance in 2002, the school's first in 17 seasons.
Long Beach State was 5-22 last season in its first season under coach Larry Reynolds.
By BERNIE WILSON
AP Sports Writer