Aztecs Lose Their Opening Exhibition Game

The San Diego State basketball team christened the 1992-1993 season with some warmed over play from last year in a 72-58 exhibition loss to Melbourne, Australia.

Playing before 1,013 in Peterson Gym, their new home, the Aztecs shot only 36% and went 9:14 during one second-half stretch without a field goal.

“This lets us know where we are,” first-year Coach Tony Fuller said.

Which is?

“We need to make decisions, guys need to knock shots down when they’re open, we’ve got to stick with our offense, we can’t be making stupid fouls . . .”

Joe McNaull (16 points, 10 rebounds), Keith Balzer (eight points) and Robert Ringo all fouled out, which crippled the Aztecs considering that five players did not play. Ray Barefield (academically ineligible), Deon Taylor (may redshirt), Terrence Hamilton (groin), Chris Davis (ankle) and Courtie Miller sat out. The most mysterious absence was Miller’s.

“Coaches’ decision,” Fuller said.

“Coaches’ decision,” Miller said.

Both insisted that there are no serious problems.

The Aztecs actually led at halftime, 39-34, thanks in large part to the fact that they committed only four first-half turnovers. But then they turned over the ball on five of their first six second-half possessions, and shot only 26% (six for 23) after halftime.

One different note, though, came at the free-throw line. After not coming close to the 70% mark at the line in any of the past five years, they swished 12 of 13 attempts Thursday.

Andrew Gaze, a former Seton Hall standout, led Melbourne with 29 points.