Nov. 3, 2016
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SAN DIEGO -
UCSD-San Diego State Final Box
San Diego State defeated UC San Diego, 76-63, in an exhibition game Thursday night inside Viejas Arena. The contest was the first of two exhibitions for the Aztecs prior to them opening the season on Nov. 11.
SDSU, which started Dakarai Allen, Zylan Cheatham, Trey Kell, Jeremy Hemsley and Matt Shrigley, scored the first five points of the game only to have the Tritons score six unanswered points of their own. The Aztecs countered with nine consecutive points to break the game open and San Diego State led, 14-6.
Later in the first half, SDSU embarked on a 14-2 run, which included 10 straight points, to extend its lead to 35-15. The Aztecs ultimately went into halftime ahead, 53-30, with the help of Montaque Gill-Caesar's 14 first-half points on 5-of-6 shooting.
In the second half, the fortunes were reversed as UCSD outscored San Diego State, 33-23. Despite the 10-point differential, the Aztecs led comfortably throughout the game's final 20 minutes. SDSU enjoyed a 26-point lead with just under 15 minutes to play and led, 73-53, with 3:50 left in the game. The Tritons outscored the hosts, 10-3, over the final three-and-a-half minute to provide the final margin.
Gill-Caesar, who saw his first action in an Aztec uniform after sitting out 2015-16 following his transfer from Missouri, led all players with 18 points, while adding three rebounds and one steal. Zylan Cheatham added 15 points and six rebounds, and Trey Kell chipped in with an all-around game that included 12 points and game highs of seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. Jeremy Hemsley had 11 points for and four assists.
San Diego State, which enjoyed a 28-7 advantage in points off turnovers, allowed just one Triton to reach double figures in scoring (Michael Shoemaker ââ'¬" 16) and forced 22 turnovers.
The Aztecs will complete their exhibition season on Monday when they welcome Cal State San Marcos to Viejas Arena. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.