Dec. 1, 2004
Final Stats | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery
By BERNIE WILSON
AP Sports Writer
SAN DIEGO (AP) - Brandon Heath scored 26 points and Chris Manker had 22 to lead the San Diego State Aztecs to an 83-63 win over San Diego, their third straight in the crosstown rivalry.
Manker, a 7-footer, scored San Diego State's first nine points of the second half to give the Aztecs a 47-32 lead. He hit two straight 3-pointers and converted a 3-point play.
San Diego State (3-1), coming off an 86-51 win over Division II UC San Diego, matched its best start in 20 seasons. The Toreros fell to 2-3.
It was San Diego State's biggest winning margin in the series since an 84-61 win in 1975.
San Diego's leading scorer, forward Brandon Gay, sustained a mild concussion late in the first half and didn't return. He had just five points at the time, 15 short of his average.
Heath limped off the court after ending up in a heap after making a layup with 9:14 left for a 68-54, but came back in a few minutes later.
John Sharper had 13 points for San Diego State while Marcus Slaughter had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
San Diego State outrebounded the Toreros 38-24.
Brett Melton led the Toreros with 16 points, followed by Brice Vounang with 15 and Nick Lewis 11.
San Diego State trailed 14-8 in the opening minutes, then went on a 9-0 run and never trailed again. The Aztecs closed the first half with three 3-pointers, two by Sharper, to take a 38-27 lead.