Nov. 6, 2012
SAN DIEGO -
Cal Lutheran-San Diego State Final Box
San Diego State used a stellar defensive effort to defeat Cal Lutheran, 92-42, Tuesday night at Viejas Arena. The exhibition win was the Aztecs' lone preseason tune-up prior to their season opener.
SDSU limited the Regals to 25.5 percent shooting from the field and 25.0 percent from behind the arc. On the flip side, the Aztecs connected on 47.9 percent of their field-goal attempts and outrebounded CLU, 50-38.
SDSU set the tone from the outset, jumping out to an 11-2 lead in the early going. The Regals staged a little rally to get within seven at 14-7, but that would be as close as CLU would get the rest of the way. San Diego State used a 17-1 run, which spanned the final 6 minutes, 56 seconds, to end the period and went into halftime ahead, 45-17.
Cal Lutheran scored the first bucket when the teams returned to the floor and the Aztecs answered with 12 straight points of their own to take a 57-19 lead. Later, San Diego State used 15-1 run to open a 74-25 lead and the Aztecs eventually cruised to the 50-point win.
For the game, SDSU had four players score in double figures starting with preseason Mountain West player of the year Courtney Clements, who finished with 16 points, four rebounds and four assists. Erimma Amarikwa added a double-double with 15 points and a game-high-tying 12 rebounds. Frontcourt teammate Deajanae Scurry, the preseason MW freshman of the year, chipped in a double-double of her own posting 13 points and 12 boards. Ahjalee Harvey, meanwhile, scored 14 points in 21 minutes off the bench.
San Diego State's other two starters Chelsea Hopkins and Malia Nahinu also enjoyed solid nights. Hopkins, a preseason all-conference pick, dished a game-high eight assists, while Nahinu led all players with seven blocked shots and four steals.
The Aztecs officially open their season on Saturday when they travel to Los Angeles to face UCLA. Game time at Pauley Pavilion is set for 7 p.m. PT.