No. 15 San Diego State 76, Point Loma 49: Junior guard Xavier Thames scored eight of his game-high 17 points in the second half to lead the host Aztecs to their ninth straight win.

San Diego State (9-1), playing without reigning Mountain West Player of the Year Jamaal Franklin who watched the contest on the bench in street clothes with a sore back, struggled early against the Division II Sea Lions (2-7), who trailed just 35-30 at halftime.

Senior guard Chase Tapley added 15 points for the Aztecs, including back-to-back 3-pointers that ignited a 15-6 run early in the second half and extended San Diego State's lead to a more comfortable 54-39.

Junior guard Taylor Wetherell had 10 points, making all three of his 3-point attempts, to lead Point Loma, which fell behind 9-0 at the start and never led in the game.

Forward JJ O'Brien had six points and a game-high nine rebounds for San Diego State, which finished with a 31-22 rebounding edge.

GAME NOTEBOOK: San Diego State has won 29 straight games against teams from California. ... The Aztecs have also won 22 straight games in the month of December. ... Sophomore James Johnson, a 6-9 transfer from Virginia, made his San Diego State debut and finished with six points in 12 minutes.