Eds: APNewsNow. No. 5 Notre Dame 84, No. 23 San Diego State 79.

ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands (AP) Freshman Skyler Diggins scored 21 points to lead No. 5 Notre Dame to an 84-79 victory over No. 23 San Diego State on Thursday in the Paradise Jam.

The win was Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw's 500th at the school and 588th overall.

The Irish (4-0) jumped out to a 21-point lead in the first half and led 44-29 at the break. The Aztecs whittled it down to 81-79 with 29 seconds left before Brittany Mallory made three of four free throws to seal the win.

Jene Morris scored 32 points to lead San Diego State (3-1), which was ranked this week for the first time in 14 years. Quenese Davis added 25 points and nine assists.

Lindsay Schrader scored 16 points for Notre Dame, and Mallory finished with 15.

Notre Dame plays South Carolina on Friday while San Diego State plays No. 20 Oklahoma.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-26-09 1708CST | save this article / add to your favorites list