LAS VEGAS – The final chapter in one of the Mountain West Conference’s most intense rivalries delivered exactly what it promised: drama until the final seconds. Only one team would come away from Friday’s late night semifinal grudge match with their NCAA tournament hopes still alive.
San Diego State survived an “epic battle” with New Mexico on Friday night, grinding out a semifinal victory in the Mountain West Men’s Basketball Tournament behind clutch shot-making, disciplined defense, and just enough rebounding to overcome the Lobos’ relentless pressure on the glass.
“Just another epic battle between San Diego State and New Mexico,” SDSU’s Brian Dutcher said afterward. “All three games were that way this year. We made a timely basket to beat them at our place, they got us at their place, and this was an epic battle between the two teams that have the most Mountain West titles between us.”
The Aztecs defeated the Lobos 64-62 to advance to the MW Championship Saturday against Utah State. It will be the 17th championship game appearance for SDSU in their history—more than double the next team with the 2nd most (UNLV-8). It took every last second of this game to make it happen.
The game fittingly came down to the final possession, when guard BJ Davis placed his name among other SDSU greats by delivering the decisive play in a game winning tournament classic. With about 20 seconds remaining, Davis patiently waited for the clock to wind down before attacking the rim.
After very limited scoring final moments the last minute held a flurry of action to end the night. New Mexico’s Dayton Albury drove into the teeth of the Aztecs defense for a hard two points to tie. On the next possession it was BJ Davis who took the isolation drive into the belly of the defense and layed it up off the glass for the go ahead score.
“They scored and it was about 20 seconds left on the clock,” Davis said. “We knew we needed one shot. I just kind of waited until the time went down. I wanted to drive to the basket… put that pressure on the defense and the ref. So I drove to the basket and made the bucket.”
While the final basket stole the spotlight, Dutcher pointed to defense and rebounding as the real difference in the game. New Mexico dominated the offensive glass with 20 offensive rebounds, but San Diego State limited the damage by holding the Lobos to just nine second-chance points.
“Rebounding was the difference in the game,” Dutcher said. “They still had 20 offensive rebounds, but we had the margin at three. They’re a very good rebounding team, so we had enough rebounding and good hard-nosed defense and found a way to win.”
It was a back & forth battle all night but it was Magoon Gwath that kept the Aztecs sharp throughout the game. He came alive with 17 points and put on a display of how much he can affect the game on both ends of the floor with his length. He credited his teammates for helping create the opportunities.
“I just went out there and played hard,” Davis said. “Credit my teammates for finding me for some good looks.”
His 6 rebounds, 2 blocks and constant shot changing capability whether inside the paint or out on the perimeter caused issues for the Lobos all night.
Magoon’s standout night underlines what we’ve seen from this Aztecs team so far in these two tournament games—that there is a willingness to get more physical and compete for rebounds—a very publicized weak link.
“I was just screening and rolling hard and finding opportunities to duck in or get some offensive rebounds,” Gwath said. “If a guard switched on me, I’d just stand next to the basket, box out, and try to get the rebound.”
Dutcher said Gwath’s presence was particularly important when the Lobos generated second chances.
“They got offensive rebounds, but he has a length about him where he’s harder to finish over,” Dutcher said. “He did a good job being disciplined and just walling up.”
On the night the Aztecs kept New Mexico’s stars Tomislav Buljan to just 8 points. Though Buljan brought in 10 boards and the Lobos team out rebounded SDSU by 3, it was as as close as you’re going to get, within reason.
San Diego State’s defense also neutralized one of New Mexico’s most dangerous scorers. Wing Reese Waters was tasked with guarding standout guard Jake Hall and earned high praise from his coach for the effort.
“The unsung hero for the game is Reese Waters,” Dutcher said. “He was primarily in charge of staying on Hall. He did an elite job.”
Despite struggling from three-point range, the Aztecs (5-21, 24%) leaned on their identity to control the game’s tempo. Dutcher said the message to his team has remained simple.
“Defense and rebounding win championships,” he said. “We’re not worried about how we’re shooting. We’re worried about getting stops.”
The win not only pushed San Diego State into the conference championship game but also strengthened its case for the NCAA Tournament, a reality not lost on Dutcher.
“We’ve put a good season together that’s worthy of a real hard look by the NCAA committee,” he said. “Hopefully we can take all doubt out of the way and win tomorrow and make sure that happens.”
For Davis and the Aztecs, the quick turnaround is just part of the challenge in March.
“I feel like all of our guys played AAU growing up,” Davis said with a smile. “This is just another one of those things where you’ve got to be mind over matter. We don’t have time to be sore. We’ll wake up and get ready to handle business.”
In a rivalry that has defined the conference for years, the latest showdown delivered another memorable finish—and sent San Diego State one win away from another Mountain West championship.
Up next: The #2 seed San Diego State faces the #1 seed Utah State for the MW Championship. Tip off is scheduled for Saturday, March 14th at 3pm PST.
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Free-throws also hurt the Lobos. They missed a couple of front ends in the bonus attempts