No. 23/24 SDSU Wins Fourth Straight with Victory Over CBU

SAN DIEGO – No. 23/24 San Diego State won their fourth game in a row, defeating California Baptist 81-75 at Steve Fisher Court at Viejas Arena on Wednesday night.

Miles Byrd led the Aztecs (7-2) with 19 points, 15 of which came in the second half. Nick Boyd added 16 points and a career high eight assists. Magoon Gwath scored 10 points and added two more blocks to his season total while Miles Heide registered a career high 10 points of his own and a team-high five rebounds.

The Lancers (5-5) were led by Dominique Daniels Jr.’s game-high 22 points and six assists. Kendal Coleman and Adam Moussa reached double-figures with 13 and 10, respectively.

California Baptist put points on the board first with a pair of free throws on their first possession. After a Gwath bucket, Boyd drilled a three for the Aztecs’ first lead with the senior transfer scoring seven of the team’s first 12 points of the night.

The offense was clicking for both sides early as CBU was 8-of-11 shooting to begin the contest along with SDSU’s 6-of-10.

The Aztec defense settled in down the stretch though forcing five Lancer turnovers leading to a 40-33 lead at halftime. It is the most first half points for the Aztecs against a Division I opponent this season.

San Diego State came out of the break on fire, opening the second half 8-of-9 from the field and 3-of-3 from deep. With 14:07 on the clock, the Aztecs extended their lead to double digits to begin a 14-2 scoring run and reach their largest lead of the night of 19.

However, California Baptist answered; outscoring SDSU 24-9 over the next seven minutes and change to make it a two-possession game.

A Boyd layup and pair of Byrd free throws in the final minute and a half kept the home team out front to hang on for the 81-75 victory.

SDSU shot a season best 54.9% (28-of-51) from the field and 52.9% (9-of-17) from beyond the arc. Also, shooting 80% (16-of-20) from the free throw line, it is SDSU’s fourth 50/50/80 shooting game in the Dutcher era and first since Jan. 26, 2019 vs. UNLV.

The Aztecs hit the road for their next game, and their final non-conference opponent, as they head to San Jose, Calif. for a neutral site matchup with California on Sat. Dec. 21. The game will air on ACC Network at 7:30 p.m.