Now that is what we’ve been waiting for. That was the Aztecs basketball we’ve been hoping to see.
San Diego State delivered a dominant performance against the Oregon Ducks, rolling to a 97–80 victory in its 2nd game of the 2025 Players Era Festival in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. The Aztecs now improved to 3-2 on the season and gave the Ducks only their 2nd loss of the short the season.
After suffering an absolutely brutal loss vs Michigan on Monday, Brian Dutcher’s team needed to win on Tuesday night to not only keep their out of conference season looking hopeful, but also to gain back some national respectability. The Aztecs needed to come out angry, they needed to come out on fire.
SDSU did exactly that, powered by a standout night from Reese Dixon-Waters, who led the team with 22 points, while BJ Davis added 21 in a combined 43-point explosion that carried SDSU’s offense. The two were playing fast & free, and truly appeared to outclass the opposing Oregon back court.
The depth of the Aztecs also came into play on this night. Supporting contributions were all getting in on the act: Magoon Gwath posted 13 points while adding four blocks, six rebounds and two steals, and freshman Elzie Harrington chipped in mightily with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting.
Overall SDSU shot a blistering 67.2 percent from the field compared to Oregon’s 40.3 percent, and out-rebounded the Ducks 34–26 while also outscoring them 36–22 in the paint. At time the Aztecs made the Oregon big man Nate Bittle look, well, brittle.
Kwame Evans collected 5 rebounds for the Ducks, but a reenergized Pharaoh Compton, Jeremiah Oden, Magoon Gwatch and even Miles Byrd all cleaned up the glass in a focused & determined effort.
The turning point of the game however came late in the first half — trailing 15–15, SDSU unleashed a 12–0 run triggered by BJ Davis draining back-to-back threes after free throws. That run flipped momentum and gave the Aztecs the lead for good.
From there they gradually built the advantage and ultimately pushed the margin to as much as 24, powered by ferocious dunks by Pharoah Compton and Miles Byrd and everyone pouring it on in a strong bench showing.
What was great about this game was the excellent and intentional ball movement. The Aztecs were determined to pass the ball around, even just for formality at time. But ensuring everyone touched the ball to get a rhythm in the offense was a big deal.
The Michelob Ultra Arena was full of Red & Black fans and they aided in the momentum at times, turning the space into an Aztecs home game feel. Got to give credit to those traveling fans for always making Las Vegas feel like their own.
With this win, San Diego State showed off elite shooting, defensive pressure, and balanced scoring — a performance that makes them a serious contender in the rest of the Players Era Festival.
Up next SDSU plays Wednesday evening vs Baylor. Tip-off is set for 7:30pm PT once again at Michelob Ultra Arena in Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
