SDSU Plays Texas El Paso Tonight

SAN DIEGO —  San Diego State plays Texas El Paso in a Western Athletic Conference basketball game tonight at 7:30 in the Sports Arena.

SDSU (2-9) began WAC play Saturday by losing at home to New Mexico, 88-84. The Aztecs led early in the first half, 29-14, only to lose the lead within five minutes.

Freshman guard Tony Ross, who scored a season-high 31 points against New Mexico, leads the Aztecs with an 18.2 scoring average. Guard Josh Lowery, the team’s second-leading scorer with a 13.5 average, will return tonight after a one-game suspension against New Mexico for fighting during last season’s WAC Tournament.

Forward Juan Espinoza scored a season-high 17 points against New Mexico, but center Gerald Murray was held scoreless for the second consecutive game.

“Gerald’s not moving well inside,” Coach Smokey Gaines said. “He’s not jumping. I don’t know if he’s tired, or whatever.”

Murray, who reported overweight to preseason practice, has been slowed by knee, ankle and back injuries. Second-string center Kevin Brown was held to one point against New Mexico.

The Aztecs are attempting to avoid their worst season since finishing 6-21 in 1979-80.

“We’re trying to salvage what we can,” Gaines said. “No one expects us to do a lot. We just have to start winning to get some confidence.”

UTEP is 1-0 in the WAC and 11-2 overall. The Miners began conference play Saturday by defeating Hawaii, 84-71.