SAN DIEGO (Daily Aztec) - San Diego State men’s basketball returned in triumphant fashion to the friendly confines of Viejas Arena, defeating Jackson State 87-44 in front of a crowd of 10,453 on Tuesday night.
SDSU (4-2), just six days removed from competing in the Maui Invitational in Maui, Hawaii, scored the first 11 points and never trailed in a wire-to-wire victory over the Tigers.
In Maui, SDSU came away victorious against defending Big East champion Xavier, but struggled in losses to Duke and Iowa State, falling by deficits of 30 and 26 points, respectively.
Head coach Brian Dutcher said the game was a chance for the Aztecs to show what they were made of, following tough defeats.
“We were challenged against Xavier and came back, we were challenged against Iowa State and didn’t fight hard enough,” Dutcher said. “So I said this is the next challenge. So you’ve been challenged, lets see what you’re about.”
The battled-tested Aztecs showed no ill effects against the Tigers, looking resurgent while jumping out to a nearly 30-point halftime lead.
Jackson State (1-6), meanwhile, looked like a team that could end up being bottom-dwellers in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, finishing the game with more turnovers (23) than made field goals (15).
