San Diego State gains Wooden title game spot for second-time

FULLERTON, Calif., November 24, 2017 – In a game that saw 12 second half lead changes, San Diego State’s late 9-0 scoring run sealed the win, 75-68, and the Aztecs handed Georgia their first loss of the season.

Four Aztecs hit double-figures in the game led by junior Devin Watson’s 16-point performance. Senior Trey Kell had the best line of the night with 13 points, a game-high nine rebounds, and a game-high five assists in the win. Freshman Matt Mitchell also had 13 points for SDSU while redshirt freshman Jalen McDaniels was the final Aztec in double-figures with 11 points to go along with eight rebounds.

Georgia had a pair of 17-point performances from junior William Jackson II and senior Yante Maten. Maten also matched a team-high seven rebounds while Jackson had a team-high four assists. They were the only two Bulldogs in double-figures though as nobody else had more than seven points.

Georgia opened up the contest with a 10-2 run in the first five minutes of play and saw their lead peak at 12 points for the half. But SDSU fought back as Watson’s nine first half points led the Aztecs on an 18-3 run and they took the lead with four minutes left in the half. Going into the break, however, the Bulldogs managed to take the lead back and were hanging on to a one-point lead.

The second half was a lot of high action back-and-forth between the two teams. Twelve lead changes took place in the half and the score was tied up on seven different occasions. The final tie was broken by SDSU senior Malik Pope’s jumper just inside the arc and a three-pointer from Mitchell, who had 11 second half points, sealed the win for the Aztecs as they went on a 9-0 run that made the difference in the game.