Aztecs Stay Hot, Knock Off No. 23 Arizona State in Tempe
Days after cracking the AP Top 25 Poll for the first time this season, No. 24 San Diego State (4-0) faced its toughest test against No. 23 Arizona State (3-1) on Thursday night. In their first road game of the season the Aztecs showed up ready to play and dismantled the Sun Devils 80-68.
“It was probably our closest to a complete game”
Jordan Schakel (25 points) and Nathan Mensah (17 points) set personal career scoring highs to pace the offense. Mensah finished with 15 rebounds and led the effort near the rim. San Diego State outscored Arizona State 36-8 on points in the paint.
Flush it Nathan pic.twitter.com/Zxhkwo9fZK
— San Diego State Men's Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) December 11, 2020
It's not the same clip again, Shack is on FIRE! #GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/DgprhyHrjO
— San Diego State Men's Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) December 11, 2020
“It was probably our closest to a complete game,” said Schakel, who showed he was the best player on the floor Thursday night. The Aztecs defense consistently bothered a Sun Devil team that had averaged 84.5 points per game coming into the contest.
While the Aztecs jumped out to an early 12-2 lead, the game tightened up for a good portion. SDSU held a small 35-33 advantage at halftime, but an 18-2 second half run proved to be the difference.
When Terrell Gomez hit his second three-pointer of the night to extend the Aztec lead to 69-54 with six minutes left, everyone knew it was over.
T-Go...he go! #GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/fpCF7z1Oxu
— San Diego State Men's Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) December 11, 2020
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The victory extended San Diego State’s non-conference win streak to 17. The team has also won 13 straight road games dating back to last season. Always working for some respect.
So how far will SDSU move up in the next AP Poll? We will find out when the next rankings are released at 9am on Monday morning.
