SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego State Aztecs didnt pay much attention to Alabama States record.They just knew that a fourth straight loss would have been nightmarish for a program not used to faltering badly.Malik Pope scored 16 points and the San Diego State Aztecs breezed to a 73-41 victory against the Hornets on Monday night to snap a three-game losing streak.The Aztecs (5-4) needed a laugher after losing at Loyola and Grand Canyon, and at home to Arizona State.They got it against the Hornets (1-8) by jumping to a 10-0 lead in the first four minutes. They were up 42-22 at halftime.It feels a lot better after you find a way to get a victory, coach Steve Fisher said. It doesnt matter who you play, it feels good to win.Zylan Cheatham and Montaque Gill-Caesar scored 11 apiece while Dakarai Allen had 10 for the Aztecs.I think it was a step in the right direction to say the least, Cheatham said. Coach Fisher definitely challenged us, definitely. Wanted us to bounce back pretty much and like I said he challenged us and we stepped up. Weve got a long way to go.It just seemed like it was a different feeling in the locker room. Guys were just so anxious, so ready. Not to say that we werent for any other game, but we executed, we made the right plays, and we played for each other.Pope said SDSU is not known to be like a losing team. So, were just as hurt as everybody else and we just had to get back to the grind and fix what was broken. So thats what were trying to do, making progress, so when we go to Hawaii, were just going to keep this momentum going and go from there.Its all about being hungry. You dont get anything you dont deserve, Pope added.Point guard Jeremy Hemsley, SDSUs leading scorer at 17 points per game, sat out with a right foot injury. He would have been available in an emergency. Forward Matt Shrigley started in his place and scored five points.Torloft Thomas led the Hornets with 14 points.The Hornets knew it would be a tough game.They took us out of everything we were trying to do, coach Lewis Jackson said. We got down and they were long and athletic. This gives us something to build on, but they moved the ball well, they ran their sets, they executed well. It was a tough night for us.BIG PICTUREAlabama State: The Hornets only victory this season was 76-67 against Cal State Fullerton in the Global Sports Classic in Las Vegas on Nov. 26. Coming into Monday night, theyd been outscored by an average of 80-65.San Diego State: After playing two games in three days, the Aztecs will take off 10 days for final exams.STATSThe Hornets made only 15 of 60 shots (25 percent).Youre not going to be very competitive shooting that percentage, Jackson said.Each team had 15 turnovers.UP NEXTAlabama State plays at Tennessee State on Wednesday night.San Diego State faces Southern Miss on Dec. 22 in its opening game in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu. Authentic Hockey Jerseys . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. Hockey Jerseys China . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well. https://www.fakehockeyjerseys.com/ .B. -- The Baie-Comeau Drakkar took over sole possession of first place atop the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League on Thursday with their sixth straight win. Wholesale Hockey Jerseys . -- Jimmie Johnson held off a teammate, passed a pair of Hall of Famers, and dominated once more at Dover. Fake Hockey Jerseys . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. CHICAGO -- Terry Francona is on the verge of ending another long World Series drought.Call him Mgr. October.Clevelands maestro of a manager, who has pushed all the right buttons this season and especially over the past few weeks, moved closer to capturing his third Series title as the Indians beat the Chicago Cubs 7-2 in Game 4 on Saturday night to take a 3-1 lead.Francona is the one who guided the Boston Red Sox around the Curse of the Bambino in 2004, helping them to their first title in 86 years. He led them to another three years later.And now hes got the resilient Indians on the edge of taking their first World Series in 68 years.The 57-year-old would never take any credit for Clevelands success, but the Indians wouldnt be where they are if not for Francona, who improved to 11-1 in World Series games.The guy everyone calls Tito -- his dads name -- claims he doesnt have a crystal ball. But he certainly seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to setting his lineup, pulling pitchers at just the right time and keeping his players focused.Hes at the front of all we do -- our attitude we take onto the field, the looseness we kind of carry ourselves and create the environment of having fun and being ourselves -- that all starts with him, said Jason Kipnis, whose three-run homer in the seventh blew the game open.Following Clevelands 1-0 victory in Game 3, a chess match with Chicagos Joe Maddon that he called one of the most agonizing games of his managerial career, Francona made the difficult decision of not starting first baseman Mike Napoli in Game 4.Hes like the heart and soul of our team, Francona said beforehand. It bothers me to sit him, a lot.Francona played Carlos Santana at first instead, and the move panned out when he homered leading off the second inning against John Lackey. And although his move proved to be wise, Francona wasnt happy he had to keep Napoli on the bench before using him as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning. Napoli flied out to the warning track in left-center.I still wasnt pleased that Nap didnt play, he said. But hell be in there tomorrow. His one at-bat, he took a really good swing that, I think, should help make him feel a little better going into tomorrow.Francona has been forced to be creative with his lineup during the three games at Wrigley Field, where the Indians have had to play by National League rules and couldnt use their designated hitter.He took a risk byy starting Santana in left field for Game 3 even though the former catcher had played just four innings in his career in left.dddddddddddd It worked, though, as Santana caught the only ball hit his way on a night when the wind was blowing out in Wrigley.That was probably the funnest moment of the game, Francona said of Santanas catch in the first. I was going crazy in the dugout. Then I thought I better cool it because there might be another one that finds him.None did, and Francona made several more astute moves in the first Series game at Wrigley in 71 years. He pulled starter Josh Tomlin in the fifth and ace reliever Andrew Miller came in and shut down the Cubs. And when Millers turn came up to bat, Francona sent in pinch-hitter Coco Crisp, who drove in the games only run.Of course he did.Francona also got a little lucky.He made so many double switches that he ran out of position players, and was going to have to bat Game 4 starter Corey Kluber.He almost used some guys that werent on the roster, joked Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway. I mean, theres no better manager in all of baseball than him. He thinks of everything at every moment. Ive learned so much from him.Francona knew just what to do with Kluber on Saturday night.Miller was throwing in the bullpen when Anthony Rizzo doubled leading off the sixth. Miller, who has been virtually unhittable in the postseason, was ready but Francona stayed with Kluber and he promptly retired the next three batters.Its been like that all month as the Indians, who have been overlooked despite running away with the AL Central, swept Boston, beat Toronto in five games and are now a win away from their first title since 1948.The Indians can almost taste the champagne, but Francona wont let them think too far ahead.Nothing changes. Were going to show up tomorrow -- the only thing that changes is well pack our bags, because were going to go home one way or the other, and well show up and try to beat a really good pitcher, and thats what we always do. Nothing needs to change.That 48 Cleveland team was managed by Lou Boudreau, who was also the clubs starting shortstop.Francona laughed before Game 4 when he was asked if he was ready to play short.Im just trying to handle managing, he said. That will be enough.Its been more than that. ' ' '