Aztecs to Play Athletes In Action

An injury-plagued San Diego State basketball team will play host to Athletes in Action in an exhibition game tonight at 7:30 in Peterson Gym.

Guard Anthony Watson, who led the Aztecs with a 17.5 scoring average last year, will miss the game because of an injury suffered Monday in practice. Watson cut open the webbing between the index and middle fingers on his right hand, requiring 12 stitches.

Forward Steffond Johnson, a transfer from Louisiana State, may not play because of muscle spasms in his back. And forward Gerald Murray will be at less than 100% physically as he continues to recover from a broken kneecap.

“We’ve really been hampered by injuries,” Coach Smokey Gaines said. “This is the first time in my life it’s been this tough in the preseason with injuries.”

Gaines is expected to start returning players Creon Dorsey and Bobby Owens and freshman Josh Lowery in his three-guard offense. John Martens, who is still slowed by off-season knee surgery, will start at one forward. The other forward will be Murray or freshman Kevin Brown.

Athletes in Action, which is based in San Diego, was 7-4 before playing Tuesday night at Nevada Las Vegas.