SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Brandon Clarke scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and San Jose State beat San Diego State 76-71 on Tuesday night for its first victory in the series since Jan. 30, 1999.
Jaycee Hillsman was called for an offensive foul on San Jose State’s inbounds play with 25.2 seconds left. SDSU’s Trey Kell received a pass far from the basket, took one dribble and nailed a long 3-pointer to pull to 74-71 with 19.4 to go.
But Isaac Thornton, averaging 68.6 percent at the line, hit two free throws on the other end for a five-point lead. Kell’s off-balance 3 hit the back of the rim and the students rushed the court.
Terrell Brown added 13 points for San Jose State (13-10, 5-6 Mountain West), which won its third straight conference game for the first time since joining in 2013-14.
Kell and Jeremy Hemsley each scored 13 points for San Diego State (13-10, 5-6). Dakarai Allen added 12 points and Kell grabbed nine rebounds.
On San Diego State’s final possession of the first half, the Aztecs missed five straight shots. San Jose State finally gained control of a loose ball after a block, but its last-second heave was off the mark. The Spartans led 33-29 at the break after holding SDSU to 34.4 percent shooting and forcing 10 turnovers.
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