Sports

Thames, Davis help No. 24 SDSU hold off USD 65-64 as Sanadze misses last-second 3-point shot

Associated Press
Published | Updated

San Diego State guard Dakarai Allen drives the base line around the defense of San Diego guard Johnny Dee, center, and guard Chris Sarbaugh during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) (The Associated Press)

San Diego State forward Josh Davis scores over San Diego's Jito Kok, center, and Dennis Kramer during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) (The Associated Press)

Xavier Thames made four free throws in the final 12.2 seconds and No. 24 San Diego State escaped with a 65-64 win against San Diego on Thursday night after Duda Sanadze's 3-point shot bounced off the rim as time expired.

Thames finished with 17 points and Josh Davis had 10 points and 15 rebounds for the Aztecs (6-1), who were playing for the first time since jumping into The Associated Press Top 25 following their title run in the Wooden Legacy.

The Aztecs beat the crosstown rival Toreros (7-3) for the eighth straight year.

Sanadze made two free throws with 4.8 seconds left to pull San Diego within one point. SDSU then lost the ball out of bounds to give the smaller, scrappier Toreros a shot at the victory before Sanadze missed.

Christopher Anderson scored 22 points for the Toreros. Johnny Dee added 21 and Sanadze 12.