San Diego State's first game back in the AP Top 25 was almost a loss in a spirited tussle with its scrappy crosstown rival.
Xavier Thames made four free throws in the final 12.2 seconds and No. 24 San Diego State escaped with a 65-64 win against San Diego on Thursday night after Duda Sanadze's 3-point shot bounced off the rim as time expired.
Thames finished with 17 points and Josh Davis had 10 points and 15 rebounds for the Aztecs (6-1), who were playing for the first time since jumping into the Top 25 following their title run in the Wooden Legacy.