No. 17 San Diego State 79, Cal-State Northridge 58: Aqeel Quinn recorded 15 points off the bench, including three 3-pointers, as the Aztecs defeated the visiting Matadors in the opener for both teams.

Winston Shepard contributed 14 points and J.J. O’Brien added 13 as San Diego State (1-0) won its 49th straight non-league game against an unranked foe. Dwayne Polee II had 11 points while Skylar Spencer registered eight rebounds, six blocks, three steals and three assists for the Aztecs, who forced 17 turnovers.

Stephan Hicks led the way with 16 points while Stephen Maxwell collected 15 points and 10 rebounds for Northridge, which attempted only six 3-pointers and made two. Aaron Parks added nine points and four assists for the Matadors, who lost in the Big West championship game last season.

Northridge led 11-8 early and were within two with 8:11 left in the first half before five different players contributed as the Aztecs scored 16 of the next 19 for a 33-18 lead. Shepard scored 11 in the first half, including a 3-pointer and a layup late that helped San Diego State push its lead to 41-21 at intermission.

Zacarry Douglas scored five during a 7-0 run to pull the Matadors within 12 with 12:43 left before the Aztecs answered with five straight, capped by Trey Kell’s jumper. Northridge cut its deficit to a dozen again, but San Diego State ran off 10 of the next 12 - highlighted by a Polee three-point play - to create the cushion it needed.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Aztecs have won 42 consecutive games versus California schools and improved to 19-6 all time against the Matadors. … Former UNLV and NBA standout Reggie Theus is in his second season as coach for Northridge. … San Diego State had 17 second-chance points to five for the Matadors.