ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Jaelen House scored 26 points as New Mexico beat No. 19 San Diego State 88-70 Saturday, ending the Aztecs' seven-game winning streak.
"Hats off to the Lobos. They've done what they're supposed to do. They held home court in the Mountain West," said Head Coach Brian Dutcher following the game. "We're going to have an NBA mentality. We're going to learn from up, we're going to put it behind us. We'll get ready for Nevada and our next game."
Jamal Mashburn Jr. added 19 for New Mexico (14-3, 2-2) and JT Toppin had 17 points and 16 rebounds.
Jaedon LeDee led the Aztecs (14-3, 3-1) with 15 points while Miles Byrd scored a career-high 13 points and Darrion Trammell chipped in 12.
"I think I've got a lot of time. I've been fighting injuries for a whole entire season. I'm still trying to get to 100% and I think little confidence boosters like these are definitely going to help and allow me to come up with mentioned creative spark," stated Byrd about his performance.
The difference in the game was at the foul line, where the Lobos made 21 of 31 attempts. San Diego State was 11 of 20.
The Aztecs struggled with foul issues throughout the game, with starters Lamont Butler, Reese Waters and Micah Parrish spending significant time on the bench.
"I mean, obviously, we saw a couple guys I haven't seen, but it's a hard job. Officiating is a hard job," added Dutcher. "They do the best they can and sometimes the environment affects them too. Sometimes it doesn't, but I thought they did as good a job as they could. Obviously, we're wishing we got to the foul line more in the first half. Especially Jaedon [LeDee], he draws a lot of contact and just because you're big and strong doesn't mean you're not getting fouled. They just don't want to call as much when you're big and strong. Hopefully he'll get some more calls in our next game."
The game turned with five minutes remaining in the first half when New Mexico went on a 17-0 run, reversing a 35-23 San Diego State lead that was built on two 8-2 runs.
Trailing 40-37 at the half, the Aztecs never got any closer after the break. The Lobos took control with an 11-1 run seven minutes into the half and their advantage never fell below double digits.
San Diego State hosts Nevada at 8 p.m. PT on Wednesday night at Viejas Arena. There will be a halftime ceremony to hang the jerseys of Michael Cage, Milky Phelps and Judy Porter in the rafters of Viejas Arena next to Kawhi Leonard's #15 jersey. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and San Diego Sports 760.