Aztecs drop TCU, stay perfect
FORT WORTH, Texas -- Malcolm Thomas had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Kawhi Leonard added 14 points and 11 rebounds, and the duo also keyed a game-turning run after halftime as sixth-ranked San Diego State improved to 16-0 with a 66-53 victory over Texas Christian on Wednesday night.
In their Mountain West opener, the undefeated Aztecs did pretty much the same thing they have been doing to nonconference opponents. They put the game out of reach with a strong second half, including yet another extended scoring run.
Leonard had six points and Thomas five in a 13-0 run early in the second half that pushed the Aztecs to a 49-31 lead over TCU (9-7).
San Diego State's 16-game winning streak is the second-longest in the country, trailing only the 24 wins in a row by defending national champion Duke.
■ New Mexico 102, Cal State Bakersfield 62 -- At Albuquerque, N.M., Alex Kirk set a New Mexico freshman scoring record with 31 points as the Lobos routed the Roadrunners (8-7).
Kirk, who was 11 of 13 from the field and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line, more than tripled his previous high of 10 points.
Dairese Gary added 15 points and Drew Gordon 14 for New Mexico (12-3).
■ Air Force 77, Utah 69 -- At Air Force Academy, Colo., Michael Lyons took an outlet pass from Evan Washington, slammed it home, was fouled and made the free throw with 1:47 remaining to give the Falcons (10-4) the lead for good in a victory over the Utes (7-8).
Lyons scored a career-high 26 points and brought the Clune Arena crowd to its feet with the emphatic dunk while being fouled by the Utes' Will Clyburn.
