Southern Utah Blows Past San Diego State : Basketball: Thunderbirds’ first-half barrage puts away Aztecs, 104-82.

Whatever momentum the San Diego State basketball team might have gained from two impressive outings in last week’s Texaco Star Classic was swept away Saturday night in the vapor trail left by Southern Utah State.

Davor Marcelic had 34 points, including four three-pointers, as Southern Utah pulled away from San Diego State in the first half Saturday night and coasted to a 104-82 nonconference victory in front of 2,982.

The Aztecs (2-7) were led by Tony Clark’s 18 points, and Ray Barefield and Courtie Miller chipped in 12 each. Center Joe McNaull, coming off two productive game in the tournament--in which SDSU advanced to the title game before losing, 71-69, in overtime to South Carolina--was held to 11 points.

Dana Achtzehn added 23 points and a game-high 15 rebounds as SUU (8-3) built a 55-36 halftime.

The Thunderbirds shot 61% from the floor in the first half and finished hitting 56% overall. SDSU shot 45% for the game.

The Aztecs had a 37-32 rebounding advantage.

SUU also benefited from 24 Aztec fouls, with the Thunderbirds missing only two of the subsequent 32 foul shots. Achtzehn put in 11 of the 12 free throws he was awarded.

SDSU hit 16 of its 23 foul shots.

For Southern Utah, it was the second contest the season against a Western Athletic Conference team. The Thunderbirds lost earlier to Wyoming, 85-74.