It took a little bit longer for San Diego State to shake off its opponent Wednesday, but the team dominated again, sweeping their series with San Jose State by winning 77-55.
In doing so, the Aztecs (15-4, 9-3 in Mountain West) narrowly missed becoming just the fifth team in the last 25 years to win six in a row by 25 points or more.
But win six straight they did, as Jordan Schakel scored 24. while Terrell Gomez put in 13 and Lamont Butler added 11.
Matt Mitchell, returning after missing the first San Jose State game – an 85-54 win – had seven rebounds.
Mitchell sat out Monday due to a turn of his left ankle. and he was sluggish Wednesday, scoring just seven on 3/11 shooting. Coach Brian Dutcher said he was not back in game shape after being out of practice to care for the ankle.
Outside of Schakel, and Gomez in the first half, the team also went cold in stretches, shooting 40% for the game.
San Jose, though, shot just 27%, but remained in striking distance at the half, trailing by six, 33-27. They narrowed the gap further, to three, at the 16:57 mark after the break.
But seven minutes later, SDSU had opened up a 20-point lead, led by Schakel, who hit three three-pointers.
“They put themselves in a position to be in the game for a long time,” Dutcher said.
In addition, Schakel, down the stretch, hit the 200th three-pointer of his career, as the Spartans (5-13, 3-11 MW) faded.
San Diego State isn’t set to play again until Feb. 18, when they travel to meet Fresno State. According to XTRA 1360, though, Dutcher continues to attempt and fill the gap in his schedule with a top-tier team, such as Gonzaga, USC or Loyola Chicago.
He tried unsuccessfully to do so during the Aztecs’ recent break, forced by the cancellation of two games with New Mexico.
