SAN DIEGO – Tuesday night San Diego State took Fresno State to ‘Flavortown‘ as the Bulldogs got served 83-60. Viejas Arena was roaring with cheers as the lop-sided victory was full of tasty shots, delicious dunks and so many scrumptious steals & blocks that our palette hasn’t experienced this season.
Each home game these young Aztecs have tended to bring about the symptoms of Heartburn to the Aztec faithful. By the end of this night however all Aztec Nation left feeling very fat and very happy.
With the win SDSU improves to 18-6 on the season and 11-4 in Mountain West play. The team executed with the continued urgency needed to improve not only their conference standings but overall NCAA tournament prospects.
Coach Dutcher & Co. had his team prepared for what the alternative might’ve been had they not.
“It’s these games like Fresno—you’ll fall off the face of the earth if you lose a game like this. This could’ve been a trap game tonight sandwiched between a really good performance against Boise and going to Utah State. But our guys stayed focused on the task at hand and I’m really proud of them for that.”– Coach Brian Dutcher.
Sharing the Sugar
Nick Boyd once again led the charge with his aggressive play, tallying 19 points on 8 of 12 shooting. His ability to get into the paint for physical two’s has been a knife carving straight into the heart of the defense. Just the same his play has been a life saver for this SDSU offense.
But it was his team high 7 assists that underlined this team victory. Miles Byrd who put up 8 points and 5 big steals also added 4 assists. Meanwhile Taj DeGourville contributed with 6 points and 4 assists to add some playmaking ability.
20-9 the Aztecs bested the Bulldogs in the overall assists battle proving what we all know—that sharing the sugar adds so much flavor to the recipe of a successful offensive team.
Wayne’s World
BJ Davis earned the start but was limited in game action with an illness. This opened up many more minutes for reserve players, especially one very hot Wayne McKinney III.
Right now we are all just living in Wayne’s World as McKinney III knocked down 15 points on 5 of 11 shooting including 3 of 6 from beyond the 3-point line. Like Boyd, McKinney III has used his take it to the rim approach first and has subsequently opened up his outside shooting.
Overall SDSU’s 40 points off the bench was just the kind of confident output needed heading into a big road trip this weekend.
Early in the game Pharaoh Compton was on the receiving end of several assists to finish at the rim. It ultimately got him in a good rhythm with 8 points. Miles Heide’s 6 points and 6 rebounds (3 on the offensive glass) extended possessions and guard Kimo Ferrari’s jolt of energy was a lift when he nailed an open corner 3 pointer in the first half.
“The bench has always been a strength.” Says a confident Coach Dutcher. “Our depth is helping us this time of the year. Hopefully that will serve us well as we play the last five games of the conference schedule.”
Up Next: Utah State/New Mexico
These days it’s impossible to recap an Aztecs game without taking notice of the massive contributions from redshirt freshman Magoon Gwath. His 14 points on 6 of 8 shooting and 6 rebounds is a normal night for the 7 footer. Which is what makes this weekend’s matchup even more intriguing.
The first time around against Utah State the Aztecs held a big lead over the Aggies only to squander it away in the game’s final minutes. Gwath was a defensive presence but his two scores in the games’ opening 7 minutes ended exactly there.
Will his improved performances translate on the road, in a hostile environment and at elevation? Has this young Aztec team found the consistency they struggled early in conference play to hold down? Magoon will be a big determining factor in just that.
The depth of this team is beginning to round into form with their newly found intensity and trust in each other. Playing as a team is something they must adhere to no matter the opponent. But with the Aggies and the Lobos on deck, it would be silly to think it’s not even more important.
“Stay together.” said Wayne McKinney III when asked what it’s going to take against Utah State and New Mexico.
“In both those games we had lapses. Against Utah State in the end of the game we let up. They took that game from us. We let that game go. Against New Mexico we have to understand our matchups. Understand what they’re looking for offensively & defensively and how to exploit that.“
San Diego State takes on Utah State this Saturday night at 5pm PST on the road in Logan, Utah. The game can be heard on SDSports AM 760 and can be watched on CBS Sports Network.
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