SAN DIEGO (AP) First a win at BYU and then finally, a win against pesky Grand Canyon Antelopes.
It's been a big five-day stretch for San Diego State Aztecs, which dominated inside and outside against Grand Canyon to win 86-61 Tuesday night. Malachi Flynn and Nathan Mensah each scored 14 points.
KJ Feagin added 13 points for SDSU (3-0), which was coming off a big 76-71 win at former conference rival BYU on Saturday.
Grand Canyon (0-3) had won its previous two games against the Aztecs in San Diego, plus the most recent game in the series, a 76-72 victory in Phoenix on Dec. 7, 2016.
''Coach Dutch (Brian Dutcher) was really on edge coming into this game,'' Feagin said. ''I knew he wanted this win. Coach Dave (Velasquez) talked about how we'd never beat them before and being a part of the team that got the win at BYU, now let's turn around and get Grand Canyon, so I'm happy that we accomplished both missions.''
Dutcher said the win was ''very satisfying. We knew that we'd lost, since we've been here, Coach (Steve) Fisher and I, twice to Grand Canyon, both important, critical games. At the time it doesn't seem that way but when the season finishes up you have that loss on your record and we knew it hurt us. We wanted to come out and play at a high level because we knew they were a very good opponent.''
Dutcher succeeded Fisher as head coach after the 2016-17 season.
Leading 15-14, SDSU got hot from inside and outside and raced to a 30-18 lead. Matt Mitchell hit a 3-pointer and a fall-away jumper during the big run.
The Aztecs twice hit consecutive 3-pointers in the first half. Feagin and Mitchell did it early on and then Adam Seiko and Keshad Johnson did it to give SDSU a 36-22 lead with six minutes before halftime.
GCU went scoreless for the final five minutes of the first half as SDSU jumped to a 40-24 lead.
''Offensively when you have 35 baskets and 25 assists, you're playing the game the right way,'' Dutcher said. ''Overall, offensively we shared the ball as well as we have all year. We ended up outrebounding them for the game, which pleased me.''
Flynn had nine assists and Feagin had seven.
''I'm proud of the way we played,'' Feagin said. ''I think it was right in our game plan and coaches were preaching that to us at halftime, just to keep sharing the ball.''
Lorenzo Jenkins scored 15 for GCU, while Jovan Blacksher Jr. had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Isiah Brown and Carlos Johnson had 10 points each.
''We're not going to turn this around anytime soon until they figure it out,'' GCU coach Dan Majerle said. ''It's just not good enough. We're not tough enough, we're not playing hard enough, we're not playing disciplined enough. Just very disappointed. We have stretches where we play well, and then we go away from it.''
SDSU had a 21-point lead early in the second half before GCU closed to 11.
''We knew they had a run in them and they put a little run in the second half but we kind of withstood it and kind of maintained it for a while, then built the lead back,'' Dutcher said.
BIG PICTURE
Grand Canyon: Majerle was unhappy with his players most of the night. To make things worse, Mitchell made a nice shot during SDSU's big run and then said something to the former NBA player, who jumped out of his seat. A referee said, ''I'll take care of this,'' and whistled Mitchell for a technical. ''He just made a shot, like any college athlete does, and turns around and acts like he's Michael Jordan,'' Majerle said. ''Nobody said anything to him. Nice turnaround jumper. Very nice. Very impressive. Good. It's just the culture of kids today.''
Said Dutcher: ''I told Matt, `Don't do it again.' Emotion's part of the game and I want it played emotionally but we have to play smart. I know Dan wasn't very happy. I wouldn't be either so I can understand that.''
San Diego State: The Aztecs are off to their first 3-0 start since their NCAA Tournament season of 2014-15. It has advanced to the NCAAs each of the last three times it started 3-0.
UP NEXT
Grand Canyon hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday night.
San Diego State visits crosstown rival San Diego on Wednesday night. The Toreros stunned the Aztecs by 12 points at Viejas Arena last season.
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1st Half
GRCAN
Antelopes
24
SDSU
Aztecs
40
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by San Diego State
19:45
+2
Nathan Mensah made dunk, assist by Yanni Wetzell
0-2
19:23
+2
Jovan Blacksher Jr. made jump shot, assist by Carlos Johnson
2-2
19:01
+2
Nathan Mensah made dunk, assist by Malachi Flynn
2-4
18:36
+2
Isiah Brown made jump shot
4-4
18:17
+2
Yanni Wetzell made layup, assist by KJ Feagin
4-6
17:57
+3
Lorenzo Jenkins made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Carlos Johnson
7-6
17:33
+2
Yanni Wetzell made layup, assist by Malachi Flynn
7-8
17:07
Lorenzo Jenkins missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:05
Defensive rebound by Nathan Mensah
16:48
Malachi Flynn missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:46
Defensive rebound by Grand Canyon
16:29
+2
Isiah Brown made jump shot
9-8
16:16
Yanni Wetzell missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:14
Defensive rebound by Lorenzo Jenkins
15:59
Shooting foul on Jordan Schakel
16:01
+1
Carlos Johnson made 1st of 2 free throws
10-8
16:01
Carlos Johnson missed 2nd of 2 free throws
16:01
Defensive rebound by Matt Mitchell
15:43
Matt Mitchell missed jump shot
15:41
Offensive rebound by Yanni Wetzell
15:34
Personal foul on Alessandro Lever
15:25
+3
Matt Mitchell made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Malachi Flynn
10-11
14:57
Turnover on Lorenzo Jenkins
14:56
+3
KJ Feagin made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Matt Mitchell
10-14
14:27
Jovan Blacksher Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:25
Defensive rebound by Matt Mitchell
14:10
Shooting foul on Isiah Brown
14:10
Malachi Flynn missed 1st of 3 free throws
14:10
+1
Malachi Flynn made 2nd of 3 free throws
10-15
14:10
Malachi Flynn missed 3rd of 3 free throws
14:10
Defensive rebound by Carlos Johnson
13:52
Personal foul on Malachi Flynn
13:41
+2
Isiah Brown made jump shot, assist by Carlos Johnson
12-15
13:31
Matt Mitchell missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:29
Defensive rebound by Alessandro Lever
13:20
Shooting foul on Jordan Schakel
13:20
+1
Alessandro Lever made 1st of 2 free throws
13-15
13:20
+1
Alessandro Lever made 2nd of 2 free throws
14-15
13:06
Aguek Arop missed layup
13:04
Defensive rebound by Alessandro Lever
12:49
Isiah Brown missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:47
Offensive rebound by Lorenzo Jenkins
12:39
Alessandro Lever missed jump shot, blocked by Nathan Mensah
12:37
Defensive rebound by Aguek Arop
12:32
+2
Trey Pulliam made jump shot
14-17
12:20
Bad pass turnover on Isiah Brown
12:12
+2
KJ Feagin made layup, assist by Trey Pulliam
14-19
11:45
+2
Lorenzo Jenkins made jump shot, assist by Alessandro Lever
16-19
11:19
Aguek Arop missed layup
11:17
Offensive rebound by Aguek Arop
11:11
Aguek Arop missed layup
11:09
Offensive rebound by Aguek Arop
11:05
+2
Aguek Arop made layup
16-21
10:57
Lorenzo Jenkins missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:55
Defensive rebound by Nathan Mensah
10:43
+2
Aguek Arop made layup
16-23
10:25
Jovan Blacksher Jr. missed layup
10:23
Defensive rebound by Nathan Mensah
10:12
+3
Matt Mitchell made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by KJ Feagin
16-26
9:48
Carlos Johnson missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:46
Defensive rebound by Nathan Mensah
9:40
Personal foul on Carlos Johnson
9:24
+2
Matt Mitchell made fade-away jump shot
16-28
9:24
Unsportsmanlike technical foul on Matt Mitchell
9:22
+1
Jovan Blacksher Jr. made 1st of 2 free throws
17-28
9:22
+1
Jovan Blacksher Jr. made 2nd of 2 free throws
18-28
9:07
Carlos Johnson missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:05
Defensive rebound by Keshad Johnson
8:49
Offensive foul on KJ Feagin
8:49
Turnover on KJ Feagin
8:37
Personal foul on Trey Pulliam
8:30
Bad pass turnover on J.J. Rhymes, stolen by Matt Mitchell
8:30
Trey Pulliam missed layup
8:28
Defensive rebound by Grand Canyon
8:11
Traveling violation turnover on Alessandro Lever
7:56
+2
Malachi Flynn made jump shot
18-30
7:42
Shooting foul on Malachi Flynn
7:42
+1
Jovan Blacksher Jr. made 1st of 2 free throws
19-30
7:42
+1
Jovan Blacksher Jr. made 2nd of 2 free throws
20-30
7:27
Keshad Johnson missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:25
Defensive rebound by Jovan Blacksher Jr.
7:12
+2
Carlos Johnson made layup
22-30
6:56
KJ Feagin missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:54
Defensive rebound by Jovan Blacksher Jr.
6:42
Lorenzo Jenkins missed jump shot, blocked by KJ Feagin
6:40
Defensive rebound by Keshad Johnson
6:31
+3
Adam Seiko made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by KJ Feagin
22-33
6:11
Carlos Johnson missed jump shot
6:09
Defensive rebound by KJ Feagin
5:48
+3
Keshad Johnson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by KJ Feagin
22-36
5:41
Carlos Johnson missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:39
Offensive rebound by J.J. Rhymes
5:14
J.J. Rhymes missed layup, blocked by Yanni Wetzell
5:12
Defensive rebound by Yanni Wetzell
5:04
Yanni Wetzell missed layup
5:02
Defensive rebound by Carlos Johnson
4:54
Jovan Blacksher Jr. missed jump shot
4:52
Offensive rebound by J.J. Rhymes
4:48
+2
J.J. Rhymes made layup
24-36
4:38
Keshad Johnson missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:36
Defensive rebound by Carlos Johnson
4:21
J.J. Rhymes missed jump shot
4:19
Defensive rebound by Yanni Wetzell
4:19
Personal foul on Alessandro Lever
3:47
Nathan Mensah missed jump shot
3:45
Offensive rebound by Aguek Arop
3:45
Shooting foul on J.J. Rhymes
3:47
Aguek Arop missed 1st of 2 free throws
3:47
+1
Aguek Arop made 2nd of 2 free throws
24-37
3:30
Personal foul on Aguek Arop
3:30
Lorenzo Jenkins missed free throw
3:30
Defensive rebound by Nathan Mensah
3:11
Shooting foul on Bryce Okpoh
3:11
+1
Matt Mitchell made 1st of 2 free throws
24-38
3:11
Matt Mitchell missed 2nd of 2 free throws
3:11
Defensive rebound by Carlos Johnson
2:49
Carlos Johnson missed layup
2:47
Defensive rebound by Nathan Mensah
2:34
Aguek Arop missed jump shot
2:32
Defensive rebound by J.J. Rhymes
2:20
Isiah Brown missed jump shot
2:18
Defensive rebound by Trey Pulliam
2:10
KJ Feagin missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:08
Defensive rebound by Jovan Blacksher Jr.
2:00
Personal foul on Matt Mitchell
2:00
Jovan Blacksher Jr. missed free throw
2:00
Defensive rebound by Yanni Wetzell
1:47
Adam Seiko missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:45
Defensive rebound by Jovan Blacksher Jr.
1:32
Offensive foul on Carlos Johnson
1:32
Turnover on Carlos Johnson
1:13
Bad pass turnover on Aguek Arop, stolen by Isiah Brown
59.0
J.J. Rhymes missed jump shot
57.0
Offensive rebound by Bryce Okpoh
47.0
Lorenzo Jenkins missed 3-pt. jump shot
45.0
Defensive rebound by Nathan Mensah
21.0
+2
Nathan Mensah made jump shot, assist by Trey Pulliam
24-40
2.0
Jovan Blacksher Jr. missed jump shot, blocked by Yanni Wetzell
0.0
Defensive rebound by Trey Pulliam
0.0
End of period
2nd Half
GRCAN
Antelopes
37
SDSU
Aztecs
46
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:41
+2
Alessandro Lever made hook shot
26-40
19:17
+2
KJ Feagin made jump shot, assist by Malachi Flynn
26-42
19:03
Alessandro Lever missed jump shot, blocked by Yanni Wetzell
19:01
Defensive rebound by Nathan Mensah
18:50
+2
Nathan Mensah made alley-oop shot, assist by Malachi Flynn
26-44
18:40
Personal foul on Malachi Flynn
18:38
Offensive foul on Alessandro Lever
18:38
Turnover on Alessandro Lever
18:18
Lost ball turnover on KJ Feagin, stolen by Jovan Blacksher Jr.
18:07
Offensive foul on Carlos Johnson
18:07
Turnover on Carlos Johnson
17:44
Yanni Wetzell missed layup
17:42
Offensive rebound by Yanni Wetzell
17:38
+2
Yanni Wetzell made layup
26-46
17:12
Personal foul on Nathan Mensah
17:08
+3
Lorenzo Jenkins made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Alessandro Lever
29-46
16:55
+3
Malachi Flynn made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by KJ Feagin
29-49
16:23
Shooting foul on Nathan Mensah
16:23
+1
Jovan Blacksher Jr. made 1st of 2 free throws
30-49
16:23
+1
Jovan Blacksher Jr. made 2nd of 2 free throws
31-49
16:08
Personal foul on Alessandro Lever
16:03
+3
KJ Feagin made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Malachi Flynn
31-52
15:31
Isiah Brown missed jump shot
15:29
Offensive rebound by Lorenzo Jenkins
15:13
+2
Lorenzo Jenkins made layup
33-52
15:09
Malachi Flynn missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:01
Defensive rebound by Jovan Blacksher Jr.
14:55
+2
Lorenzo Jenkins made jump shot, assist by Jovan Blacksher Jr.
35-52
14:32
Personal foul on Lorenzo Jenkins
14:21
+2
Joel Mensah made jump shot, assist by Matt Mitchell
35-54
14:04
Shooting foul on Jordan Schakel
14:04
+1
Lorenzo Jenkins made 1st of 3 free throws
36-54
14:04
+1
Lorenzo Jenkins made 2nd of 3 free throws
37-54
14:04
+1
Lorenzo Jenkins made 3rd of 3 free throws
38-54
13:47
Joel Mensah missed layup
13:45
Offensive rebound by Matt Mitchell
13:45
Matt Mitchell missed layup
13:43
Offensive rebound by Joel Mensah
13:38
+2
Joel Mensah made dunk
38-56
13:23
+3
Carlos Johnson made 3-pt. jump shot
41-56
13:07
Matt Mitchell missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:05
Defensive rebound by Jovan Blacksher Jr.
12:53
+2
Carlos Johnson made layup, assist by Isiah Brown
43-56
12:28
Matt Mitchell missed jump shot
12:26
Defensive rebound by Isiah Brown
12:17
+2
Isiah Brown made jump shot
45-56
12:01
+2
Yanni Wetzell made alley-oop shot, assist by KJ Feagin
45-58
11:28
Jovan Blacksher Jr. missed jump shot
11:27
Offensive rebound by Louis Bangai
11:26
Lorenzo Jenkins missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:24
Defensive rebound by KJ Feagin
11:01
Yanni Wetzell missed layup
10:59
Defensive rebound by Jovan Blacksher Jr.
10:36
Carlos Johnson missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:34
Defensive rebound by Yanni Wetzell
10:26
Trey Pulliam missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:24
Defensive rebound by Lorenzo Jenkins
9:57
Isiah Brown missed layup
9:57
Defensive rebound by San Diego State
9:57
Personal foul on Louis Bangai
9:42
Bad pass turnover on KJ Feagin, stolen by Carlos Johnson
9:38
Shooting foul on KJ Feagin
9:38
+1
Jovan Blacksher Jr. made 1st of 2 free throws
46-58
9:38
Jovan Blacksher Jr. missed 2nd of 2 free throws
9:38
Defensive rebound by Aguek Arop
9:34
+3
Malachi Flynn made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by KJ Feagin
46-61
9:17
Alessandro Lever missed hook shot
9:15
Defensive rebound by Aguek Arop
8:59
+2
Malachi Flynn made layup
46-63
8:42
Shooting foul on Nathan Mensah
8:42
+1
J.J. Rhymes made 1st of 2 free throws
47-63
8:42
+1
J.J. Rhymes made 2nd of 2 free throws
48-63
8:23
+2
Nathan Mensah made dunk, assist by Yanni Wetzell
48-65
8:03
Traveling violation turnover on J.J. Rhymes
7:46
Malachi Flynn missed layup
7:44
Offensive rebound by Nathan Mensah
7:44
Personal foul on Alessandro Lever
7:42
Offensive foul on Yanni Wetzell
7:42
Turnover on Yanni Wetzell
7:30
Lost ball turnover on Carlos Johnson, stolen by Jordan Schakel
7:17
+3
Jordan Schakel made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Malachi Flynn
48-68
7:07
Bad pass turnover on Isiah Brown
6:53
+2
Nathan Mensah made dunk, assist by Malachi Flynn
48-70
6:36
Jovan Blacksher Jr. missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:34
Offensive rebound by J.J. Rhymes
6:28
+2
J.J. Rhymes made layup
50-70
6:15
Double dribble turnover on KJ Feagin
5:56
Offensive foul on Carlos Johnson
5:56
Turnover on Carlos Johnson
5:41
Malachi Flynn missed jump shot
5:39
Defensive rebound by Jovan Blacksher Jr.
5:27
+2
Jovan Blacksher Jr. made jump shot
52-70
5:00
+2
Nathan Mensah made dunk, assist by Malachi Flynn
52-72
4:42
Carlos Johnson missed jump shot
4:40
Defensive rebound by Matt Mitchell
4:28
+3
KJ Feagin made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Matt Mitchell
52-75
4:22
Bad pass turnover on Lorenzo Jenkins, stolen by Malachi Flynn
4:22
+2
Jordan Schakel made layup
52-77
4:15
Personal foul on Matt Mitchell
4:12
+1
Isiah Brown made 1st of 2 free throws
53-77
4:12
+1
Isiah Brown made 2nd of 2 free throws
54-77
3:59
+3
Malachi Flynn made 3-pt. jump shot
54-80
3:27
Isiah Brown missed layup
3:25
Defensive rebound by Jordan Schakel
3:03
Jordan Schakel missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:01
Defensive rebound by Jovan Blacksher Jr.
2:57
+2
J.J. Rhymes made jump shot, assist by Jovan Blacksher Jr.
56-80
2:26
+3
Keshad Johnson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Trey Pulliam
56-83
2:09
Carlos Johnson missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:07
Defensive rebound by Joel Mensah
1:58
Bad pass turnover on Joel Mensah, stolen by Isiah Brown
1:44
+3
Jovan Blacksher Jr. made 3-pt. jump shot
59-83
1:24
+3
Adam Seiko made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Trey Pulliam