San Diego State had little trouble ending the streak of March Madness Dear Furmangetting 16 points from Micah Parrish to set up a balanced scoring attack and pulling away for a 75-52 victory Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Darrion Trammell had 13 points, Lamont Butler added 12 and leading scorer Matt Bradley finished with 10 per san diego state (29-6), who is heading to his first Sweet 16 since 2004. The Aztecs have won 11 of their last 13 games and will play either Alabama or Maryland next week in the South Region semifinals in Louisville, Kentucky.
San Diego State forward Keshad Johnson (0) celebrates after his win against Furman in a second round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The state of San Diego is the first Mountain West Conference Team to reach the Sweet 16 from Nevada in 2018. It will be the third regional semifinal for the Aztecs and the seventh for the Mountain West overall.
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Furman forward Jalen Slawson (20), forward Alex Williams (24) and forward Tyrese Hughey (15) leave the court after their loss to San Diego State in a second round college basketball game in the College Basketball Tournament. NCAA, on Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Two days after ignoring cold shots and overcoming a 12-point second-half deficit to upset No.4 seed Virginia 68-67 at JP Pegues. 3 pointers that break bracketsFurman was outmuscled and gradually worn down by the much more physical Aztecs.
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San Diego State players celebrate a teammate’s three-pointer at the end of the second half of a second-round college basketball game against Furman in the NCAA Tournament, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Orlando, Florida . (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Conference South player of the year Jalen Slawson committed his fourth foul with 16:27 remaining and fouled out shortly after returning midway through the second half. The super senior stomped on the floor in protest, drawing a technical foul that gave San Diego State a pair of free throws that put the Aztecs up 60-37.
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Mike Bothwell directed the 13th Seeded Paladins (28-8) with 15 points. Alex Williams had 11 and Pegues finished with 11 as Furman shot 32%, including 6-for-26 from 3-point range.