Dec 4, 2003
Final Stats
By BERNIE WILSON
AP Sports Writer
SAN DIEGO (AP) - Freshman Brandon Heath scored 27 points, including the last five of the game, and San Diego State held off a wild rally by San Diego for a 66-63 victory Wednesday night.
The Aztecs (4-2) blew a 20-point lead in the second half before Heath bailed them out in the final minutes by scoring their last nine points. USD (1-5), which made it to the NCAA tournament last year, lost the crosstown rivalry for the second straight year.
San Diego State led 49-29 with 16:55 left before USD went on a 31-10 run to take a 60-59 lead on a 3-pointer by Brad Lechtenberg with 2:49 to play.
Heath gave SDSU the lead for good, 64-63, on a 3-pointer with 1:39 left.
USD coach Brad Holland was called for a technical foul with 31 seconds left and Heath made both free throws for a 66-63 lead.
Lechtenberg then missed a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left. He had made his first five 3s - a career-high - to help USD rally.
Brice Vounang scored 21 for USD and Lechtenberg had 15.
Tommy Johnson was the only other Aztec in double figures, with 10 points.
San Diego State was 7-of-14 from the 3-point line in the first half in taking a 40-27 lead.
