Huskies Fail To Hold Big Lead, Lose To Aztecs

San Diego State used an 18-2 run to start the second half to make up a nine-point deficit and send the Aztecs on their way to a 70-63 victory over the Washington Huskies Sunday afternoon in San Diego. The loss evened Washington’s record at 4-4 and ruined the Huskies’ chances of scoring their first win on the road against a ranked opponent since 2009.

Washington, which trailed early, burst out to a 30-21 halftime lead, but unraveled in the first seven minutes of the second half. During that stretch, the Huskies went without a field goal for 7:20, enabling the No. 24-ranked Aztecs to get back into the game, eventually take the lead, and hold on for the victory by draining late free throws.

Washington entered the game allowing 86.1 points per, but played its best defense of the season and outrebounded San Diego State 41-31. But the Huskies turned the ball over 16 times — they had been averaging 9.0 per game — and got 11 of their shots blocked.

The loss snapped Washington’s two-game winning streak and leaves the Huskies 15-112d all-time on the road against ranked foes.

C.J. Wilcox, who got only two shots in the first five minutes and didn’t score a point for nearly 10 minutes of the second half, led Washington with 17 points. He made three of his five 3-point attempts, including two in the second half that kept the Huskies close once they had surrendered the lead.

Andrew Andrews added 13 points, including a pair of long balls, and Perris Blackwell snatched 11 rebounds for the Huskies.

Xavier Thames led San Diego State with 19 points and Winston Shepard added 17, including two free throws with 29.5 seconds left that sealed the Aztecs’ win.