SAN DIEGO – The Aztecs picked up their second straight victory on Steve Fisher Court, defeating the visiting Lamar Cardinals by a final score of 89-71. It was a balanced effort six different players scoring at least eight points and five different players securing at least five rebounds.
The first half of action was defined by the excellent play of the Aztec’s backcourt duo of Miles Byrd and BJ Davis. Across the first 20 minutes the pair combined to score 26 points while shooting 70% from the floor. Byrd handed out two assists while also blocking two shots. Meanwhile, Davis was explosive leading the second unit. The junior guard had scored in double figures in five consecutive games and only needed 10 minutes of play in the first half to extend that streak to six straight games. To go along with the scoring exploits of their veteran guards, the Aztecs shot 43% from behind the arc during the first frame of play with five different players knocking down at least one three.
San Diego State entered the second half with a 10-point lead but wasted little time pulling away from the Cardinals. A 10-0 run capped off by a Reese Dixon-Waters pull-up jump shot, pushed the Aztec’s lead to 20 within the first four and a half minutes of the second half. Starting center Magoon Gwath came alive as well scoring eight points, grabbing four rebounds and swatted away a pair of shots. Byrd also continued to stuff the stat sheet with seven more points and a pair of steals. For the game he chipped in a team high 19 points, five rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals.
As a team coach Brian Dutcher’s squad won multiple statistical categories. They limited the Cardinals to just 36% from the floor while forcing 18 turnovers. They also won the rebounding battle decisively 40-30 while corralling 12 offensive rebounds on the night. As has been the case for much of this season, San Diego State’s bench has continued to produce at an elite level. After having scored 59 points against Utah Valley, the second unit contributed 44 more points tonight. The trio BJ Davis (16 points), Sean Newman Jr. (8 points) and Pharaoh Compton (8 points) outscored the entirety of Lamar’s bench on their own.
UP NEXT
The Aztec’s will take this winning streak into next week as their homestand continues with Mountain West Conference play beginning. The Air Force Falcons will make the trip to Viejas Arena to face off against San Diego State on Wednesday, December 17. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.