Dec. 2, 2006
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) - Andre Ricks scored a career-high 29 points in his first start of the season, leading Western Michigan to an 84-73 win over previously unbeaten San Diego State on Saturday.
The Broncos (3-4) overcame an early eight-point deficit to knock off the Aztecs (8-1), whose 8-0 start had matched the best in 86 years at the school. They were one of six 8-0 teams in the nation entering Saturday's game.
Ricks hit 10 of 17 shots, including a 3-pointer with 1:46 remaining that put Western Michigan up by seven points. Ricks had set his previous career high, 17 points, just nine days earlier in a 71-68 victory over Virginia Tech.
Mohamed Abukar led San Diego State with 17 points.
Brandon Heath scored nine points in the first four minutes for the Aztecs but made just one basket and four points the rest of the game, tying his lowest scoring total of the season.
Ricks and Andrew Hershberger each had a career-high four steals for Western Michigan, which broke a University Arena record with 16 steals. San Diego State had 22 turnovers, leading to 21 points for the Broncos.
The Aztecs, whose 48.5 percent shooting from 3-point range ranked fourth in the nation, hit just eight of 21 shots from beyond the arc.
Joe Reitz added 18 points and seven rebounds for Western Michigan. Hershberger had a game-high 10 rebounds, although the Broncos were outrebounded 38-34.