San Diego State put up a record opening half Thursday, scoring 63 points, a Mountain West high, as the team gave Wyoming a 87-57 drubbing.
The Aztecs, coming off two routs of Air Force, continued their hot streak as they returned to Viejas Arena, improving to 12-4 on the season, and 6-3 in the conference.
Their 63 points were the most ever scored in the first half between Mountain West opponents. They led by 33 at the break.
“We took care of the ball, we shot the ball and we shared the ball,” said coach Brian Dutcher. “That’s what we wanted to do.”
Jordan Schakel led the team with 16 points, while Terrell Gomez scored 14, going a perfect 4-for-four from three-point range. They each did most of their scoring in the first half, with 14 and 11 points respectively.
Senior Matt Mitchell and freshman Lamont Butler added 13.
Mitchell continued his recovery from his recent knee injury, playing 20 minutes, as the team continues to ease him back into play after he missed two games.
Aguek Arop, though, sat out due to a bout with vertigo that Dutcher hopes will clear up in time for Saturday’s second game against Wyoming.
Meanwhile, SDSU’s defense locked down the Cowboys (10-6, 4-5 in the MW), who shot just 30%. They also held Marcus Williams, the reigning Mountain West Player of the Week, to just six points and forced him into seven turnovers.
Saturday’s game begins at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
