SAN DIEGO – San Diego State concluded their final exhibition game of the season against a familiar foe as the Toreros of the University of San Diego made the trip across town to Viejas Arena. SDSU would conclude their final tune-up game with a resounding victory thanks to an 87-54 final score.
The Toreros would strike first thanks to Dominque Ford knocking down a jump shot and drawing a foul to earn an “and-1”after just over two minutes of scoreless basketball between the two teams.
The Aztecs first points of the evening would come courtesy of Taj DeGourville getting to the rim off a baseline inbounds pass from Sean Newman Jr. with 17:26 on the clock. Over the next six minutes the Aztecs offense would go on to outscore San Diego 17-2.
It was a balanced half of scoring for San Diego State with 10 different players recording at least two points. DeGourville and Pharoh Compton paced the Aztecs at the half with seven points apiece. As a team, they would shoot at a blistering 60.7% from the floor and a near perfect 11-12 at the free throw line.
Defensively San Diego State was stellar across the first 20 minutes of action. They limited the Toreros to just six field goals on 29 attempts, forced eight turnovers and collected four blocks. Compton was particularly effective on the defensive end of the court, pulling down five rebounds and swatting away a pair of shots.
San Diego was led at the half by Ty-Lau Johnson’s 12 points but would trail 48-24 heading into the break.
The next frame of play saw the Toreros respond by converting three of their first four shot attempts. The two teams exchanged buckets through the first three minutes before a five-minute, 13-0 run by the Aztecs saw the lead balloon to 35 points with just over 11 minutes remaining. Reese Dixon-Waters would erupt in the second half scoring 11 of his game high 17 points including seven straight points in just under 90 seconds early in the half.
Along with Dixon-Water’s 17 points, Latrell Davis (13 points), Elzie Harrington (12 points) and Taj DeGourville (11 points) all eclipsed double-figures in scoring. Miles Heide would pace both teams with eight rebounds while Sean Newman Jr.’s four assists were also a game high.
San Diego was led by the duo of Ty-Lau Johnson and Dominque Ford combining to score 22 points with both players reaching double figures. Johnson would add team highs in rebounds and assists with three each.
San Diego State dominated across almost all statistical categories on the night. The Aztecs shot better from the field (54.5%-29.3%), from behind the arc (42.1%-30.8%) and the charity stripe (79.2%-66.7%). SDSU also handedly won the rebounding battle (49-24) and the Aztecs second unit was explosive outscoring the Toreros reserves 43-22.
Up Next
San Diego State will look to officially begin the 2025-2026 season on Tuesday, November 4 at 7:00 p.m. PDT when the Aztecs welcome Long Beach State to Viejas Arena.