There was only one thing that would do in Friday night’s Aztecs game. It was senior night with five honorees in the game, tons of former Aztecs in attendance, and a crowd eager for something to celebrate. With all of that in hand, SDSU needed momentum—the Aztecs needed a win.
By any means necessary Brian Dutcher’s team needed a spark entering the final game of the regular season. After losing four of its previous five games, before the Mountain West Conference tournament, the Aztecs found it behind one of the best performances of BJ Davis’ career.
Davis erupted for 30 points and delivered the game’s biggest plays down the stretch as San Diego State held off UNLV in a back-and-forth battle at Viejas Arena. Coach Dutcher called it exactly what it looked like — a hard-fought win against a talented opponent playing some of its best basketball.
“It was a hard ball win against a really good team,” Dutcher said. “They’re playing really good basketball and their guard had 32. It was a great college basketball game.”
For long stretches, the night felt like a showcase for two elite scorers trading punches. UNLV star Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn—poured in 32 points for the Rebels, while Davis countered with 30 of his own. Dutcher said, “That guard matchup was as good as you’re going to see in college basketball.”
Davis’ scoring burst came in a variety of ways. He knocked down quick-release threes, attacked downhill to the rim, and converted through contact. More importantly, he delivered when the Aztecs needed him most. Late in the game, Dutcher initially planned to run a play for Reese Waters, but Davis’ confidence made the coach reconsider.
“I was going to run something for Reese,” Dutcher said. “But I looked over at BJ and he was rolling his eyes. So I changed my mind and ran it for him. I said, ‘You’re right. You made all the baskets right now. I’m going to give you the ball.’ And it worked out pretty good.”
The moment captured Davis’ rhythm on the night. He said afterward he never felt like he didn’t have to force anything.
“Just flowing,” Davis said. “I wasn’t really thinking too much, just letting it flow.”
The junior guard even delivered the defensive play that sealed the victory. With UNLV needing a three-pointer in the final seconds, Davis anticipated the Rebels’ star guard dribbling at the top of the key and reached in for a clean steal.
“I knew they needed three and nobody else could really take that shot,” Davis said. “I saw him kind of expose the ball a little bit, so it was just instinct. I reached in and got it. Luckily, no foul.”
The performance came at an ideal moment for the Aztecs. Dutcher has often said that March is when players have to step up, and Davis looked every bit like the type of guard capable of carrying a team in postseason play.
“March is for players,” Dutcher said. “BJ was incredible. If he plays that way in March, we’ll have a chance to win some of these games.”
The win also provided a much-needed reset for a team that had battled fatigue and injuries through the closing stretch of the regular season. San Diego State finished with a 33–30 rebounding edge and came through with the win despite losing the battle of turnovers with 12 to UNLV’s 9, and they shot better than 50 percent from the field.
Now the focus shifts to the conference tournament in Las Vegas. With several players dealing with bumps and bruises after a grueling stretch of games, Dutcher plans to give his team a few days to recover before preparing for a potential three games in three days.
For the Aztecs, Davis’ breakout performance offered a reminder of their ceiling when one of their guards catches fire at the right time.
And if that version of Davis shows up again in March, San Diego State may have more basketball left to play.
Next all focus shifts towards New Mexico’s road contest at Utah State on Saturday. There is still a chance for SDSU to win a share of the Mountain West Conference.
Stay tuned as we cover more preparation for next week’s tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada and SDSU’s final games as members of the Mountain West Conference.
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