McNaull Helps Pace the Aztecs : College basketball: Sophomore center has 30 points, 11 rebounds in 94-90 SDSU victory over Florida A&M;.

This is what happens when a college basketball team goes through as many changes as the San Diego State Aztecs have gone through the past two weeks.

Final score: 94-90.

The surprise was, however, it was the Aztecs with the 94 points and the victory over Florida A&M; in front of about 3,000 fans in the first round of the Texaco Star Classic Friday night at the San Diego Sports Arena.

And with the victory, only its second in seven games this season, SDSU advanced to the final of its own tournament for the 12th time in 16 years. The Aztecs, which have won this tournament three times, will meet South Carolina, a 69-58 winner over George Washington, in championship game.

In the past week, SDSU lost one starter--Keith Balzer, who decided to redshirt--and two backup centers in brothers Neal and Mark Pollard, who left the team.

Furthermore, Tony Clark was making his SDSU debut after transferring from Arizona.

Little if nothing, however, seemed to bother the Aztecs on this night, particularly Joe McNaull.

McNaull scored 30 points and pulled down 13 rebounds, both career highs, to lead SDSU.

The Aztecs trailed most of the second half, but then went on a 12-2 run near the end of the game to go up 90-85 with 1:01 left.

The Rattlers’ DeLon Turner made a basket to make it 90-87 with 40 seconds left, but Ray Barefield iced the game with two free throws.

Neither team had more than a five-point lead in the first half.

On a mission of sorts, McNaull scored 17 points and pulled down nine rebounds in the first 20 minutes to keep the Aztecs within one point, 44-43, of A&M;, who was led by Turner with 11 points.

McNaull, a 6-10 sophomore center from Monte Vista who leads the Aztecs in minutes played, was playing so well, he even produced his second assist of the season . . . and it was brilliant.

Taking an outlet pass near midcourt with 1:48 left, McNaull turned and alertly fired upcourt to Nelson Stewart, who converted a layup to pull the Aztecs within, 40-39.

A minute later, McNaull made two free throws to make it 42-41, A&M.; After a Rattler basket, Terrence Hamilton made two foul shots with three seconds left in the half.

The second half started with a free throw by A&M; and McNaull getting his third assist of the season when Robert Ringo scored to make it 45-45. A few minutes later, Ringo sank a 17-foot jumper to give the Aztecs a 53-51 lead, but the Rattlers soon tied it again then retook the lead on baskets by Turner and Anton Walton.

Florida A&M; threatened to break away a couple of times midway through the second half--twice building five-point leads--but SDSU responded each time with three quick points. McNaull negated A&M;’s first run with a layup and subsequent foul shot, and Clark made his first SDSU field goal--a three-pointer, no less--to pull SDSU within, 77-75, with 6:50 left.

South Carolina 69, George Washington 58--Leading by two with 3:41 left in the first half, South Carolina went on a 9-2 run to end the half, and the Gamecocks (5-1) never were threatened after the intermission.

South Carolina forward Joe Rhett had 10 points and six rebounds by halftime and finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Rhett, a 6-8 senior, played all 40 minutes and made eight of 10 field goals and four of seven free throws.

Center Bill Brigham, who also never left the floor, led George Washington with 21 points and 11 rebounds.

South Carolina shot 54% (27 of 50) from the floor, while the Colonials made only 35% (21 of 60). Brigham was the only Colonial starter to shoot better than 40%. Guard Dirkk Surles finished with 15 points but made only six of 21 shots.

South Carolina’s only loss this season was to then 19-ranked Oklahoma, 61-60, on Nov. 27. Since then, the Gamecocks have beaten St. Joseph’s by 14, Furman by 20, Winthrop by 12 and now George Washington, which fell to 4-2.

Tournament Notes

Tonight’s consolation game at the San Diego Sports Arena begins at 6:30, followed by the championship at 8:30. Radio station XTRA (690) will broadcast the Aztec game on a tape-delayed basis, beginning at 10:30 p.m. . . . The 45-second clock went out with 14:00 left in the South Carolina-George Washington game with George Washington 18 seconds into a possession. Naturally, 26.8 seconds later, as officials decided to keep the timer at courtside with warnings issued at 20 and 10 seconds by public address announcer Bruce Binkowski, George Washington forward Robert Hammons released a 19-foot baseline jumper. The buzzer sounded as the shot arched and fell through the hoop. It was the only time either team came close to expiring the allotted time. . . . Forgive South Carolina players and coaches if they appeared a bit weary. After arriving Wednesday around 8 p.m., the Gamecocks practiced from 10 p.m. to midnight. What’s worse is that it seemed like 1-3 a.m. to South Carolina, which is on Eastern time. . . . San Diego State has only five players on its active roster who were around for this tournament last year. Three of them were freshmen last season, including center Joe McNaull, who was named to the all-tournament team. Despite not having won the tournament since 1987, SDSU has had two players on the five-man all-tournament team for the past four tournaments. . . . George Washington was playing without its leading scorer, junior forward Sonni Holland, who did not make the trip because of a death in the family.