SAN DIEGO – San Diego State’s full squad made the most of its final “experiment” opportunity, running away in the middle with a 92-67 exhibition win over Long Beach State on Wednesday night at Viejas Arena.
The Aztecs have six players in double figures with starters leading the way behind 14 points from junior guard Latrell Davis and 13 points from sophomore guard Elzie Harrington. Fifth-year forward Jeremiah Ursus Cerasis and sophomore guard Fors Letus also added 11 points apiece, while first-year forward Luka Skorić came off the bench to score 11 and senior guard Isaiah Sy chipped in 10 points.
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Happy also had a game high 7 assists while Harrington and Davis each chipped in 4 assists, with the trio teaming up for a trio of turnovers.
After being bullied in the first two exhibition games by top-25 Arizona and USC, the Red and Black were feasted on a sub-Ash and sub-site Beach team, and 10 players were able to give at least 13 minutes of playing time.
SDSU scored its first 11 points from halftime, the second of three 10-point runs in the game, and it was the last 20 minutes where the red and black squad showed its potential.
Davis took it to the bucket with authority on the first two possessions, scoring by driving layups, Harrington passing in front of the telegraph wing for a steal and a score to force a timeout. That would not be the case for the Tide, as Tae Simmons followed up with a Mikan Drill-style reverse attempt by Cherry when she was blocked, then Davis hit a regulation 3-pointer to push the lead to 15.
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There was still plenty to chew on, as the Aztecs committed seven first-half turnovers and fell behind Beach twice around the half-minute mark. Long Beach State also had a 7-6 edge in rebounding in the first frame.
But SDSU went on a 10-0 run midway through the first half to take control. It started thanks to having the ball inside to Cherry for a pair of buckets as well as a free throw. Harrington added a pair of freebies, and Chance Gladden hit an NBA distance triple from the top of the key down the stretch.
The Aztecs’ first four turnovers were made by their trio of international transfers, as all three were able to practice in full with the squad for just three weeks. In the first year of custody, David Torressani was the first of the games on Sept. 24. He was certified, with the first year before Luca Vinci nodding on Oct. 6, and Skorić cleared on Oct. 9.
In the second half, Skorić and Vincini figured in another red and black foul, an 8 point riot in 46 seconds all hands transfer from Zagreb, Croatia.
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After draining two free throws, Skorić took a feed from freshman guard Zach White for a driving score, intercepted Vincini’s jumper near midcourt and drove the first-year guard for a layup where Harrington was fouled before completing a one-and-one.
A cherry run near the midway mark led to another 10-0 run and a 25-run lead. He led the way to Long Beach State’s visibly sleepy shoulder and nodded to third-year coach and former SDSU assistant Chris Acker to applaud and implore his side for energy.
After 5 and 6 3-pointers in the first two exhibition games, the red and black made six 15 in the opening 20 minutes and 10 25 to the game.
He scored his third from the city in the hole at the middle corner, shooting from a free man behind the screen, and nailed it from the top of the key to give Dozte a 45-38 lead. The album also added two triples in the initial frame, part of 8 points in just over 13 minutes of play overall.
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The Aztecs finished with a 42-22 rebounding edge (14 to 10 on the foul glass) while dishing out 18 assists and committing 16 turnovers, though 4 of those in the final 3:36. Sy led the team with 7 rebounds, Simmons grabbed 5 boards, and Cherry grabbed 5 caroms.
San Diego State opens the 2026/27 regular season against Cal State Fullerton at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. at Arena Viejas. The Titans finished 18-16 overall and 12-8 in the Big West last season, reaching the semifinals of the conference tournament. They were picked to finish eighth overall in the preseason conference coaches poll.
Col. Fullerton State poured in 12 triples in a 96-78 exhibition game against Fresno State on Oct. 24, getting 31 points from fifth-year guard Josh Ward, who was a second-team All-Big West selection last season.
The game will be streamed for free on the PAC-12 YouTube stream, with a local radio broadcast on 760AM KGB.
This story will be updated.