Nov. 27, 2008
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Kyle Spain's two free throws with 11.2 seconds left were the game-winning points, and pre-tournament favorite San Diego State held off scrappy Western Carolina 59-58 on Thursday night in the first round of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout.
Spain was fouled after Western Carolina freshman Greg Avery missed a pair of free throws with 14 seconds left that could have put the Catamounts up by three. Instead, Spain was true with both of his attempts and WCU's Harouna Mutombo was called for traveling with less than a second left as the Catamounts failed to get up a final shot.
Spain finished with 22 points, eight rebounds and five assists as the Aztecs (3-1) advanced to play surprising Seattle in Friday's semifinals.
WCU (1-2) was led by Mutombo's career-best 20 points.