The San Diego State Aztecs picked up their biggest win of the 2009-2010 season, but it came at a heavy cost. The Aztecs (12-3, 1-0 MWC) used a strong second half to bull their way past 15th ranked New Mexico 74-64 at Viejas Arena, on a night when junior forward Billy White was lost for at least the short term and perhaps much longer with a high ankle sprain.
Malcolm Thomas (click here for 1-on-1 postgame interview) led the Aztecs with 18 points and a season-best 15 rebounds, while D.J. Gay added 12 points on 3-of-5 shooting from three point range. Tim Shelton stepped in for White with 26 minutes of play off the bench, contributing 8 points and 4 rebounds. Dairese Gary led the Lobos (14-2, 0-1) with 15 points.
While a win over a top-15 team is valuable, the loss of White (8 points in 9 minutes) may prove to be the bigger long-term story. He landed awkwardly on his right ankle after going up for a rebound with 5:45 remaining in the first half.
White could put no pressure on the ankle as he was helped off the court, and later watched the game on crutches and wearing a protective boot. Head coach Steve Fisher had a cautiously pessimistic diagnosis after the game:
Hear more from Coach Fisher and D.J. Gay, check out a picture gallery from the game and more after the jump!
SDSU withstood an early shooting barrage from New Mexico, and then clamped down defensively. After draining five of their first seven three point attempts, the Lobos connected on just three of their last 14 tries. Overall, the Aztecs held New Mexico to 35% field goal shooting.
Fisher praised his defense for making it difficult on the Lobos to find open looks:
The Aztecs also managed to overcome a significant early deficit on the boards, even with White out of action. After falling behind the Lobos 16-8 on the glass, the Aztecs came back to grab 34 of the next 51 rebounds. SDSU finished with a 42-33 edge in rebounding, including a 15-13 advantage in offensive boards.
Photo Gallery: SDSU 74 New Mexico 64
For the Aztecs to beat a tough Lobos squad and earn their fourth straight win and ninth in ten games, they would need contributions from across the board. Making his fourth start of the season, freshman guard Chase Tapley filled up the boxscore with 7 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Kawhi Leonard battled his shot and foul trouble all game, but still finished with 5 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
Tim Shelton brought smarts and toughness off the bench in 26 gutty minutes of work (619 Sports photo-David Olender)
But perhaps the biggest pick-me-up came from Tim Shelton, who was pressed into 26 minutes of action after White’s injury. Still nursing sore knees, Shelton ran around and through countless screens while defending Lobos shooter Roman Martinez. Shelton finished with 8 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, while Martinez was held to 12 points on 3-9 shooting.
D.J. Gay was appreciative of Shelton’s efforts:
Meanwhile, Lobos star Darington Hobson, a 6′7″ junior wing who Fisher calls the “best pro prospect in the Mountain West”, was held to 12 points of 4-of-17 shooting. Fisher had talked endlessly to his team about Hobson and the message apparently got through:
Is this a “resume builder” for the Aztecs? Unquestionably. A team that came up just short of the NCAA tournament last year improved to 14-76 all-time against AP Top 25 teams, but 4-3 in their last seven. The Aztecs won their 13th straight home game and improved to 22-1 in their last 23 games at Viejas Arena. The 15th ranked Lobos (14th in the coaches poll) were the 5th highest rank team SDSU has defeated in program history.
Fisher talked about the importance of beating a ranked team like New Mexico:
Their trip to Laramie takes place this weekend, but first, some anxious moments lie in wait for a team that will hope for good news when Billy White wakes up on Wednesday morning.
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