Chance Gladden anchored a dominant San Diego State performance with 30 points, leading the Aztecs to a 77-66 victory over Colorado in the inaugural Bill Walton Classic. The game, held in San Diego to honor the late Hall of Famer and local legend, saw SDSU establish an early advantage they never surrendered. Gladden was efficient and versatile, shooting 5-for-6 from the field and 10-for-11 from the free-throw line while adding four rebounds, three assists, and three steals to his stat line. The Aztecs (2-0) took their first lead with 1:45 remaining in the first half and maintained control throughout the contest.
Aztecs dominate boards and free-throw line to honor late Hall of Famer in inaugural classic.
San Diego State’s defense suffocated Colorado’s offense, holding the Buffaloes (1-1) to just 37% shooting from the field and 36% from three-point range. The Aztecs also controlled the glass, winning the rebounding battle 38-27, with Luca Vincini leading the charge with seven boards. Latrell Davis provided a crucial second spark, scoring 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 15 in the second half, to help pull away from a resilient Colorado squad.
Despite a late surge from Colorado’s Barrington Hargress, who scored 33 points with 22 coming in the second half, the Buffaloes could not overcome the gap. Hargress cut the lead to eight points after trailing 33-19 at halftime, but SDSU’s consistent execution and superior free-throw shooting sealed the win. The celebratory atmosphere included tie-dye attire for both teams and Colorado head coach Tad Boyle, adding a unique cultural touch to the competitive matchup.
Source: Yahoo Sports
