San Diego State wins

San Diego State took down visiting Cal State San Marcos 67-46 last night with Chase Tapley leading the Aztecs with 13 points. The two teams were tied at 26 after the initial 20 minutes.

Tapley and Xavier Thames (seven points, three assists, three steals) started in the backcourt.

Jose (De la Salle) Rivera totaled seven points for CSSM and Adam (Woodland) Eakles added four rebounds and two points.

Aztec athletics provides a game review.

San Diego State by three

San Diego State topped Boise State 65-62 led by 20 points, four assists and four steals from Chase Tapley. Xavier Thames went for 14 points, plus five boards, three assists and a pair of steals. The victory opened Mountain West Conference tournament play for the Aztecs.

SDSU wins in The Pit

San Diego State went into Albuquerque and emerged with a 77-70 success against New Mexico. Xavier Thames exploded for 22 points (plus four assists) for the Aztecs while Chase Tapley went for 12 markers and seven boards. Drew Gordon put up 15 and eight for the Lobos and also notched four assists.

SD State over UC Riverside

San Diego State was simply too much -- 80 to 55 -- for UC Riverside last night, amid some player matchups involving Bay Area and northern California talents.

Chase Tapley scored 17 points on 7-8 shooting for the victors, along with four rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

Xavier Thames totaled nine points and six boards for the Aztecs.

Kareem Nitoto put together nine points, four rebounds and a pair of assists.

Checking in on Chase Tapley

Chase Tapley came out of Sacramento High a couple of years back and decided San Diego State of the Mountain West Conference was the college and basketball program for him. After a 34-3 ride this season and a three game stretch in the Big Dance, it's apparent he made a wise decision.

In 2010-11, he averaged 8.6 points per game on 49% overall shooting, 38% from long distance. Tapley also passed for 64 assists and nabbed 44 steals, the latter second on the team.

The Aztecs are losing four starters (Kawhi Leonard, Billy White, D.J. Gay and Malcolm Thomas) so Coach Steve Fisher will be looking for leadership from his junior-to-be, the lone returnee with substantial playing time and experience.