Dec 31, 2003
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SAN DIEGO (AP) - Aerick Sanders had a career-high 34 points and 14 rebounds, and Chris Walton made a key basket in the final minute to lead San Diego State to a 67-61 win over Portland on Wednesday.
Sanders carried the Aztecs at times, especially in the first half when he scored 20 of his team's 34 points. But it was Walton who hit the biggest basket, scoring with 53.2 seconds left to snap a 61-all tie and trigger a 6-0 San Diego State run to finish the game.
Walton, who finished with 11 points, was bumped as he drove the lane, but still managed to hit an off-balance 10-footer that banked in.
Sanders, who has made 51 of his last 69 shots, was 13-of-20 from the floor and set career highs by making 8-of-11 free throws. His point total was the highest for San Diego State since Anthony Watson scored 54 points against U.S. International in 1986.
Pooh Jeter tied his career high with 25 points to lead Portland (6-6). The 5-foot-10 guard, who had a career-high seven assists, missed a 3-pointer with 20 seconds left and the Pilots trailing by two.
The Aztecs (8-5) made 3-of-4 free throws in the final 19 seconds to seal the win - their first in three games.
Jeter made a three-point play to tie the game 61-all with 2:12 remaining before Walton made his clutch shot to put the Aztecs ahead for good.
There were eight lead changes and seven ties in the second half, when neither team led by more than four points until the final five seconds. Portland led 36-34 at halftime.