San Diego State Loses, 77-76, in Round One of Tournament

San Diego State missed two shots in the final seconds as it lost to North Carolina Charlotte, 77-76, in first-round action of the Holiday Bowl tournament Friday night.

After calling timeout with 29 seconds remaining, the Aztecs worked the ball in to Anthony Watson for an off-balance shot. John Martens also missed an off-balance rebound shot as SDSU lost for the eighth time in nine games.

Charlotte (4-4) will play Memphis State for the tournament championship at 8:45 tonight. SDSU will play Fresno State in the consolation game at 6:35.

Memphis State defeated Fresno State, 57-46, in Friday’s first game in front of 3,730 fans at the Sports Arena.

Charlotte had a difficult time even getting to San Diego for the game.

The 49ers left home Wednesday afternoon, figuring to arrive at San Diego’s Lindberg Field at 8:52 p.m. However, they didn’t figure that heavy fog would cause their flight to be diverted to Los Angeles.

When Charlotte finally arrived in Los Angeles late Wednesday evening, it was told all flights to San Diego had been canceled. An assistant coach and four players took a bus to San Diego, but the remainder of the team stayed overnight in Los Angeles.

Finally, at 2 p.m. Thursday, the entire 49er team was in San Diego. When they went to the Sports Arena later in the afternoon, it was their first practice in five days.

At the outset Friday, Charlotte certainly did not appear to be off its game. The 49ers led by five points on four occasions within the game’s first 5 1/2 minutes.

SDSU eventually took its second lead of the game, 19-18, on a Watson field goal 11:43 before halftime. Charlotte scored 11 of the next 13 points, taking a 29-21 lead with 7:55 remaining in the half.

The 49ers increased their margin to 11 points, 38-27, on a 22-foot shot by Byron Dinkins with 5:49 left in the half. However, SDSU cut the deficit to three points within the next three minutes.

Martens scored his 13th point on a field goal with 5:20 left, cutting the lead to 38-29. Bobby Owens then scored back-to-back baskets, making the score 38-33.

On Charlotte’s next possession, Kevin Brown stole the ball and passed to Tracy Dildy. Johnny Scruggs took a pass from Dildy and scored, pulling the Aztecs to within 38-35.

However, SDSU did not come any closer before halftime. Charlotte went to the locker room with a 44-39 lead.

Martens, who scored a game-high 22 points, was among three players with 13 points in the half. Charlotte’s Mike Milling and Ray Gromlowicz also scored 13.

SDSU shot 54.8% from the field in the half, compared to Charlotte’s 60%. The Aztecs, who had been outrebounded in their first eight games, were outrebounded again by halftime, 17-11.

Charlotte took its biggest lead of the second half, 52-45, on a Rodney Abrams basket with 15:50 remaining.

Creon Dorsey then took charge for SDSU, scoring four of the team’s next six points as the Aztecs cut their deficit to 52-51. Dorsey could have tied the game on a free throw with 14:41 left, but he missed.

Finally, with 13:36 remaining, SDSU took a 55-54 lead on Dorsey’s basket. At the time, Dorsey had scored 10 of the Aztecs’ first 16 points of the half.

After the teams traded baskets, Martens scored a layup to provide the Aztecs a 59-56 lead with 12:10 remaining. Owens followed with a free throw 15 seconds later, giving SDSU a 60-56 margin.

In the next 6 1/2 minutes, the Aztec lead fluctuated between two and six points. Abrams pulled his team to within one point, 70-69, on a rebound basket with 5 1/2 minutes remaining.

SDSU scored the next four points on baskets by Watson and Tracy Dildy. Charlotte pulled to within one point, 74-73, by making four consecutive free throws.