SDSU MEN'S BASKETBALL AVOIDS GIVING UP LEAD IN QUARTERFINAL OF DIAMOND HEAD CLASSIC

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By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

December 22, 2016 (Honolulu) - While most of us are spending Christmas at home, the San Diego State Aztecs men’s basketball team is in Hawaii at the eighth annual Diamond Head Classic.  Today they played their first game of the tournament against Southern Miss.

SDSU got off to a great start with a few threes and a big dunk.  The Aztecs kept up the pressure and ended the first half with a 16-point lead, 36-20.  Sophomore Zylan Cheatham was a monster on offense and defense, posting 10 points and eight rebounds.

In the second half, as in the game against Alabama State, the Aztecs let up a bit and allowed Southern Miss to decrease the lead to 10, 45-35.  Not only did the Aztecs let up.  They let up a lot.  So much that the Eagles only trailed by eight.  But SDSU held on with a few threes by senior Matt Shrigley and sophomore transfer Max Hoetzel and the Aztecs came away with a win, 66-51.  The Aztecs held Southern Miss to six bench points and Cheatham finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

The Aztecs will face Tulsa tomorrow in the semifinals at 1:30 p.m.  You can watch the game on ESPN2.

Final box

Postgame notes

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