Nov. 3, 2005
Final Stats | Quotes | Notes
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State men's basketball team used its size and quickness to defeat Saint Xavier, 60-50, in its only exhibition contest of the season Thursday night at Cox Arena.
Senior guard John Sharper and junior forward Marcus Slaughter, who both scored a game-high 12 points, led the Aztecs. The pair also dominated on the boards as Sharper grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, while Slaughter pocketed seven.
Forwards Trimaine Davis and Kyle Spain both chipped in with eight points on a combined 58.3 percent (7-12) from the field.
The first half between the schools was relatively close as the Cougars used four three-pointers to keep the game within reach and went into the half down 32-25.
The second half was a different story as SDSU tightened up its defense and held Saint Xavier to just 35 percent shooting, including 3-of-12 from behind the arc. In addition to holding their opponent to a dismal shooting percentage, the Aztecs forced the Cougars into 14 turnovers in the second half. For the game, SDSU recorded 11 steals and blocked seven shots, five of which were by Slaughter.
The Aztecs were not only efficient on the defensive end, they were also efficient from the free throw line. For the game, San Diego State converted 92.3 percent (12-13) of its free throw attempts. Had Thursday night been a regular season game, it would have marked the first time the Aztecs shot at least 90 percent from the charity stripe since 2003 when they went 12-for-12 against Air Force (Jan. 11).
SDSU opens its regular season schedule Nov. 17 at the Top of the World Classic in Fairbanks, Alaska, against tournament host Alaska Fairbanks at 6 p.m. AST.