Mira Mesa’s Wayne Pittman Headed for San Diego State

Wayne Pittman, a 5-11, 190-pound running back from Mira Mesa, will attend San Diego State on a football scholarship in the fall, Mira Mesa Coach Brad Griffith said.

“He’s the best football player I’ve ever had,” Griffith said. “He’ll play for them soon.”

Pittman, who averaged 10.7 yards a carry during the regular season and gained 1,604 yards, is a punishing runner. Griffith recalled Pittman’s first play from scrimmage as a sophomore. Pittman smashed into a tackler with such force that the player didn’t get up for more than a minute. Another player came in and Pittman did the same thing to him.

“They got up with their helmets turned sideways,” Griffith said. “He’s just got that ability to coil on you when he’s going to get tackled.”

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Rick Batt’s 22 points and 11 rebounds led UCSD to its fifth victory in a row, 85-78, over visiting Occidental in a nonconference game. Tim Rapp added 20 points and nine rebounds for UCSD (13-3). Occidental fell to 7-7.

Point Loma Nazarene defeated visiting Christ College of Irvine, 77-70, to improve to 9-9 and 1-0 in the Golden State Athletic Conference. Mark Bulgin scored 19 to lead Point Loma, which trailed 41-38 at halftime. Christ College is 7-12, 0-2.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Fresno State shot 59% from the field and defeated visiting San Diego State, 85-69, in a nonconference game. Carmelia Bloodsaw led SDSU (9-6), who shot only 44% from the field, with 21 points. Kieishsha Garnes scored 14 points and had nine rebounds for the Aztecs and Michele Miles added 10 points. Sheri Brown scored a game-high 28 points for Fresno State (8-6).

Christy Stevens scored 23 points, including four three-pointers, and Camille Armijo added 12 points for Point Loma Nazarene College in its 72-59 victory over visiting Christ College of Irvine in a nonconference game. PLNC improved to 11-6.