No. 16 San Diego State cruises past CS Northridge

Nov 15, 2014 - 5:44 AM San Diego, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Aqeel Quinn scored 15 points to help No. 16 San Diego State to a 79-58 win over Cal State Northridge in the season opener for both teams on Friday.

Winston Shepard netted 14 points, JJ O'Brien tallied 13 and reigning Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year, Dwayne Polee II, added 11 for the Aztecs (1-0), who extended their winning streak to 49 straight against unranked, non- conference teams.

San Diego State, which opened the mainland portion of the Maui Invitational, has also won 15 straight at home and has taken 42 consecutive games against teams from California.

Stephan Hicks and Stephen Maxwell scored 16 and 15 points, respectively, for the Matadors (0-1), with Maxwell pulling down 10 rebounds.

Aaron Parks' three-point play gave the visitors an 11-8 lead early on, then San Diego State ripped off nine straight for a 17-11 margin after Quinn's free throws.

Parks split a pair at the line later in the half to cut the deficit to three, but the Aztecs ended on a 22-5 for a 41-21 lead at the break.

A 12-5 run for the Matadors was capped with a 3-pointer from Ajon Efferson that cut the deficit to 54-42 midway through the second. However, San Diego State answered with a 10-2 spurt that helped the hosts regain their 20-point cushion.

Game Notes

Skylar Spencer led the Aztecs with eight rebounds and matched a career-high with six blocked shots ... SDSU shot 28-for-56 from the floor ... The Matadors had 17 turnovers and shot just 2-for-6 from beyond the arc ... Northridge continues its Maui Invitational at No. 2 Arizona on Sunday ... The Aztecs host No. 25 Utah on Tuesday.