San Jose gave San Diego State a serious scare Sunday, but Malachi Flynn stepped up with a last-second 3-pointer as the Aztecs secured a 59-57 win.
The home crowd at Viejas Arena went wild as the team improved to 10-0.
“That’s what he does. That’s why he’s here, to take important shots,” coach Brian Dutcher told the Associated Press about Flynn.
Forward Matt Mitchell, according to AP, called the shot “surreal.”
Over. Three. Defenders.#SCTop10 worthy!#GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/tBc5SCIPWi
— San Diego State Men’s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) December 8, 2019
The Aztecs shot just 32%, leaving the door open for San Jose.
The Spartans (3-7, 0-2 in the Mountain West) took a 57-54 lead late in the game. Matt Mitchell though, hit two free throws, then San Jose missed two. After an Aztec miss and a time out, Jordan Schakel passed to Flynn for the win.
“It felt good as soon as it left my hands,” Flynn told the AP.
With the victory, San Diego State is one of eight undefeated teams in the country as the Aztecs enjoy the second-best start in the program’s 99 seasons.
Mitchell (13 points, 9 rebounds) scored in double figures for the fourth straight game and tied his career-high with nine rebounds.
Sophomore forward Nathan Mensah (12 points, 12 rebounds) had his third double-digit rebounding effort of the season and seventh of his career. The double-double is the third of his career. Schakel scored 11.
The Aztecs, according to the report, could make The Associated Press Top 25 for the first time in four years. The new rankings come out Monday.
San Diego State next hosts San Diego Christian on Dec. 18.
We think Matt might need an extended three-point line…#GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/j1nlraWQcN
— San Diego State Men’s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) December 8, 2019
– Staff reports
