Nov. 2, 2011
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SAN DIEGO - For at least one night, San Diego State looked a lot like the school-record setting team from a year ago.
The Aztecs, who dressed eight scholarship players, broke in four new starters in a 78-63 exhibition victory over Cal State San Marcos in front of 11,711 at Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl. San Diego State received balanced scoring in the victory, placing three players in double figures
San Diego State, which advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2011 NCAA Tournament, is coming off the most successful season in school history, posting a 34-3 record a year ago en route to a share of the Mountain West Conference regular-season championship as well as its second consecutive league tournament title.
Although the names were different than a year ago, the characteristics of balance scoring and a defense that forces turnovers and lethal scoring spurts were similar to the championship teams from the past.
San Diego State placed three players in double figures led by junior guard James Rahon with 19 points. Junior forward DeShawn Stephens, a transfer from Santa Monica College, had 16 points and a game-high nine rebounds, while junior guard Chase Tapley, the team's leading scorer from last season, added 15 points.
The Aztecs, who forced 17 Cougar turnovers on the night, took control of the game with a run midway through the first half. Leading 10-8, San Diego State used a 17-3 run over an eight-minute stretch in the first half to separate itself from the Cougars. Rahon scored seven points and junior forward Alec Williams added six points during the spurt.
The Aztecs built the advantage to 21 points and did not lead by fewer than seven points the remainder of the game.
San Diego State's sophomore point guards, Xavier Thames and LaBradford Franklin combined for 14 assists and just two turnovers. Thames, a transfer from Washington State, had five points and two steals to go along with a game-high nine assists, while Franklin added a pair of rebounds to go with his five assists.
The Aztecs return to action on Monday night when they play host to Point Loma Nazarene at 7:30 p.m. PT. Prior to the men's game, Beth Burns and the SDSU women's team will play its lone exhibition game against UC San Diego, beginning at 5 p.m. PT. General admission and student tickets are sold out for the game, however less than 1,000 reserved tickets are available. Fans can purchase the remaining seats online at GoAztecs.com, in person at Viejas Arena or Qualcomm Stadium or by calling 619-283-SDSU.