SAN DIEGO, CA – The Aztecs were able to bounce back from their very un-Aztec-like two-game skid last week in a big way. In Wednesday night’s 17-point blowout win over the Utah State Aggies, the team played like the squad many had sky-high expectations for entering the season.
With the win, the Aztecs improved to 19-8 overall and, perhaps more importantly, 13-4 in conference play. That conference record once again places them tied atop the Mountain West standings with Utah State.
Now, the Aztecs control their own destiny for at least a share of the regular-season title if they can win their final three games. That task, however, will not be easy with two tough road matchups remaining.
After back-to-back losses at the hands of Grand Canyon and Colorado State, San Diego State’s at-large tournament hopes were placed on red alert. But that pressure did not cause the Aztecs to panic. Instead, it energized them in a way we have not consistently seen this season. This was the Aztecs’ best win of the season in three ways:
First, it was a complete team victory, finally pairing a high-powered offense with vintage Aztec defense.
Second, Utah State is the best team San Diego State has beaten this season, and the Aztecs did it in dominant fashion.
Most importantly, it reawakened belief that this squad is talented enough not only to reach the NCAA Tournament but to win multiple games once there.
That dominant performance, combined with the stakes of the moment, kept the sold-out Viejas Arena loud throughout the night, energizing the Aztecs and clearly rattling the Aggies.
As a team, the Aztecs shot 30-of-55 (55%) from the field, including 7-of-16 (44%) from three-point range. They struggled somewhat at the free-throw line, shooting 22-of-33 (67%), which could have loomed larger in a tighter contest.
In addition to their 89 points, the Aztecs grabbed 38 rebounds (12 offensive) and dished out 18 assists. Defensively, they held Utah State to 40% shooting overall and 30% from beyond the arc.
The Aggies also shot 67% from the free-throw line. The Aztecs forced 12 turnovers while recording three steals and three blocks, with two additional clean blocks wiped away by fouls.
Individually, Reese Dixon-Waters led all scorers with 20 points, continuing his strong stretch with his 16th double-digit scoring performance in the last 17 games. With Magoon Gwath and Elzie Harrington back in the starting lineup for the first time since January 17 against New Mexico, the Aztecs showcased their depth, as the bench poured in 42 points.
Three reserves reached double figures: Taj DeGourville (12 points), Tae Simmons (11), and Pharoah Compton (11). Simmons and Compton delivered several emphatic dunks, injecting even more energy into the building.
Notably, Jeremiah Oden did not see game action for the first time this season, as Brian Dutcher opted to expand Simmons’ role in the rotation and utilize four-guard lineups, with Byrd or DeGourville sliding into frontcourt spots. Sean Newman Jr. also saw limited action, logging just six minutes without recording a statistic.
Entering the game, Utah State ranked 23rd in the NET, making this the Aztecs’ second Quad 1 victory of the season as they continue building their case for an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament. Calling every remaining game “must-win” may sound cliché, but it reflects the reality of the situation.
San Diego State has just three regular-season games left before the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas. Two of those are Quad 1 road contests: at NET No. 44 New Mexico, a fellow bubble team, and at NET No. 60 Boise State.
Next Game: Saturday, Feb. 28 at New Mexico, 11 a.m. on CBS.
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