SDSU Loses Another Close Game, 81-79

Before San Diego State’s freshman-oriented team finds an identity, it seems intent on making a name for others.

Such as Eastern Washington.

The Eagles defeated SDSU, 81-79, in double overtime Saturday night in the Sun-Met tournament’s consolation game. Fresno State won the championship by defeating Louisiana Tech, 65-64.

Eastern Washington has a 5-1 record, but its previous wins were against more of a Who’s Not Who among college basketball--Seattle, Wisconsin-Green Bay, Northern Arizona and Boise State.

“This has to be the biggest win in the four years we have been in Division I,” said David Banks, Eagle forward. “You can put Eastern Washington on the map now.”

Banks gave Eastern Washington its victory over SDSU, tipping in an air-ball shot by Roosevelt Brown with one second left in the second overtime. SDSU did not get to call a timeout before the clock expired.

It was the Aztecs’ second straight close loss. They lost their season opener Friday night to Louisiana Tech, 74-72, on a basket with three seconds remaining.

“You know how hard it is to shake a monkey when he’s on your back,” Aztec Coach Smokey Gaines said. “Last year, we won these games. This year, we have lost these games.”

Last season, SDSU had a senior-oriented team that advanced to the NCAA tournament. This season, the Aztecs have a young team that must be content to simply show improvement as the season progresses.

Midway through the second half Saturday, SDSU appeared to be progressing toward a win as it led, 51-43. But when the Aztecs went to their four-guard offense, Eastern Washington wore them down and cut the lead to 57-55 with 7:22 remaining in regulation. Gaines primarily went with two forwards and three guards thereafter.

SDSU was at a disadvantage inside because Steffond Johnson, who scored a team-high 19 points against Louisiana Tech, was slowed by lingering muscle spasms in his lower back. Johnson was limited to 11 minutes against Eastern Washington. He scored two points and had four rebounds.

Without Johnson inside, the burden fell upon 6-foot 9-inch freshman Kevin Brown and 6-8 senior John Martens. Brown, held scoreless by Louisiana Tech, responded with eight points and four rebounds. Martens had game-highs of 20 points and 12 rebounds.

“Since Steffond was not in, we had to go to someone else in the middle,” Martens said. “I was effective at the beginning and they kept working the ball toward me.”

Freshman Josh Lowery was effective as he scored 17 points, including four consecutive field goals in the two overtimes. Senior Anthony Watson had an up-and-down game before fouling out in the first overtime. He had 17 points, 7 rebounds and 7 turnovers.

The Aztecs had ample opportunity to win.

Martens hit two free throws with 12 seconds remaining in regulation, giving SDSU a 68-66 lead. However, Banks tied the game on a bank shot with three seconds left.

In the first overtime, Kevin Brown missed a foul shot with the score tied, 75-75, and five seconds left. The Eagles’ Brown also missed a free throw with three seconds left.

In the second overtime, Lowery hit consecutive shots from the outside to give SDSU a 79-77 lead with 1:47 remaining. Roosevelt Brown hit two free throws with 1:04 remaining to tie the score, 79-79.

When SDSU set up the ensuing play, the best it could get was an awkward 22-foot miss by Creon Dorsey with three seconds left on the 45-second shot clock. Eastern Washington called timeout with nine seconds remaining, setting up its winning play.