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SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State led No. 12 Gonzaga wire to wire thanks to a stifling defensive effort and some timely baskets in a 72-70 victory on Thursday night at Viejas Arena. The Aztecs built a 12-point lead in the first half and held off every Gonzaga rally.
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San Diego State shot poorly from the floor but found offense at the most critical junctures.
Forward Jalen McDaniels scored two of his 15 points on a thunderous put-back dunk with 4:48 left, giving the Aztecs a seven-point cushion down the stretch.
McDaniels added 10 rebounds for a double-double. Forward Matt Mitchell also scored 15 points for the Aztecs (8-3).
Gonzaga (10-3) cut the deficit to two points twice in the final two minutes, but San Diego State guard Devin Watson hit a turnaround floater as the shot clock expired with 1:52 left, and guard Trey Kell sank two free throws with 1:16 left.
Kell, who finished with 14 points, dribbled past Gonzaga guard Josh Perkins and hit a scooping layup in traffic with 47 seconds left to effectively put the game away.
Despite never leading, the Bulldogs stayed close behind 22 points from guard Zach Norvell Jr. and forward Johnathan Williams' double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds. Forward Rui Hachimura added 13 points, contributing to the Bulldogs' 32 points in the paint.
However, offensive woes that persisted from the opening tip plagued Gonzaga.
San Diego State opened on an 11-0 run, holding Gonzaga scoreless for the first 4:23. The Aztecs' aggressive man-to-man defense forced nine first-half turnovers, and 16 for the game.
San Diego State also challenged the Bulldogs' shots effectively, particularly from behind the 3-point arc, where Gonzaga was just 9 of 29.
Gonzaga did not hit its first 3-point attempt until 4:32 remaining before halftime on a wide-open look for Williams, missing its first six and the subsequent six after two straight makes.
NOTES: Gonzaga's 42.4 percent shooting from the field was its worst of the season, coming on the heels of a season-best 68 percent on Monday vs. North Dakota. ... San Diego State also shot a season worst from the floor, 36.1 percent. ... Gonzaga G Zach Norvell Jr. was the sole player on either roster to score in double figures until 8:40 remained in regulation.
