SAN DIEGO -- After giving up 90 points in a dismal loss at Arizona State on Tuesday night, San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher challenged the Aztecs to be tougher on defense.
They responded.
With a tight defense fueling an impressive transition game, Devin Watson scored 20 points before leaving with a cramp midway through the second half and Malik Pope scored nine of his 16 points during a 24-2 run in the first half that carried SDSU to an 83-52 victory against McNeese State on Friday night.
"A step forward, defensively more than anything else," Dutcher said.