MITCHELL SETS SCHOOL RECORD AS AZTECS MEN'S BASKETBALL DOWNS EASTERN ILLINOIS

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Story by Liz Alper

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

November 20, 2017 (San Diego) - Aztecs men’s basketball is undefeated at home and 2-1 overall, a much better start to the season than last year.  Tonight they played host to the Eastern Illinois Panthers in an exhibition game.  The Panthers are known for churning out ex-Dallas Cowboys quarterback turned analyst Tony Romo, so no one’s really heard of their basketball team.  But we’d see them tonight.

Great defense to kick off the game led the Aztecs to get their first two points on free throws by junior Devin Watson.  The Aztecs took advantage of the Panthers’ slow pace and failure to convert on inside and outside shots and senior Trey Kell added a big three to put the Aztecs on a 7-0 run.  The Aztecs continued to hold the Panthers to eight points while they went on a tear for half of the first half until a couple of threes by junior Justice Green.  SDSU continued to stay out in front big even as the threes started to fall for Eastern Illinois and stopped falling for the Aztecs.  Eastern Illinois was able to get back into the game, but the Aztecs were still well ahead by halftime and went to the locker room up 40-25.

In the second half, EIU increased the pressure, but SDSU kept theirs up after a slow start.  As he did against UCSD, freshman Matt Mitchell put on a three-point and points-in-the-paint clinic, putting the Aztecs up by 20.  Junior Jeremy Hemsley made it 22 with a smooth layup.  Mitchell was 6-for-9 from the field at the 11:40 mark of the second half, with 15 points.  Senior Malik Pope was right there with him with 15, along with senior Trey Kell with 11 and Watson with 10.  Another freshman decided to join in on the three-point fun:  Jordan Schakel nailed a smooth tre at the 10-minute mark.  The Aztecs graciously let Mitchell deal the finishing blow--a three that put the Panthers away for good and there were still eight minutes left.  Not bad for a guy who came in 0-for-10 and 2-for-18.  Mitchell set a record for most points by an Aztec freshman since Evan Burns in 2003 against New Mexico with 31 as the Aztecs put the Panthers away 94-63.   

Next up for the Aztec men is the Wooden Legacy in Fullerton over Thanksgiving weekend.  Their first game is on Thanksgiving Night against Sacramento State.  Tipoff is at 10:00 p.m.

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