LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jamaal Franklin, playing most of the second half with three fouls, scored 19 points and Chase Tapley had 10 of his 17 in the first five minutes of the second half to lead No. 18 and top-seeded San Diego State to a 79-69 victory against fourth-seeded Colorado State in the Mountain West Conference tournament semifinals on Friday night.
Coach Steve Fisher’s Aztecs (26-6) will play for their third MWC tournament title and automatic NCAA tournament bid on Saturday when they face the winner of the other semifinal between No. 20 UNLV and New Mexico.
James Rahon had 15 points and Garrett Green 10 for SDSU.
Dorian Green had 20 points for CSU (20-11), while Jesse Carr had 17 and Dwight Smith 12.
