LAS VEGAS – Miles Byrd scored in double figures in each half, finishing with 23 points to lead San Diego State past UNLV by an 82-71 score at Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday afternoon.
San Diego State (14-5, 8-1 Mountain West) remains alone atop the conference standings ahead of Wednesday’s contest against Colorado State.
UNLV (10-9, 5-3 MW) will try to get back in the win column in a home game against New Mexico on Tuesday night.
The Runnin’ Rebels led early in the game before Reese Dixon-Waters made a three-pointer, Pharaoh Compton had a dunk and Byrd hit a three to give the Aztecs a 14-11 lead with 11:33 left in the opening half. UNLV went back ahead with six minutes to go before another three by Byrd, a bucket by Dixon-Waters and two free throws by Jeremiah Oden put SDSU ahead at the four-minute mark. A three-point play by Taj DeGourville, free throws from Dixon-Waters and yet another Byrd triple extended the lead to seven points heading into halftime.
SDSU led for the entirety of the second half, going up by as much as 16 points on a Miles Heide dunk at 2:15. UNLV scored late, getting within 11 at the end of the game as San Diego State won 82-71.
In addition to Byrd, Reese Dixon-Waters and Taj DeGourville each finished in double figures with 13 points. Byrd dished out five assists and logged four steals while Dixon-Waters grabbed seven rebounds.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn led the Rebels with 27 points. Kimani Hamilton added 12 points and Tyrin Jones scored ten. Emmanuel Stephen had seven rebounds to pace UNLV.
San Diego State shot better from the field (56.5%-51.0%), beyond the arc (61.5%-33.3%) and the free throw line (84.6%-54.5%). The Aztecs had more assists (18-11) and scored more off the bench (29-11).
THE NOTE
Reese Dixon-Waters scored his 1,000th career point on a jump shot with 4:48 remaining in the first half.
UP NEXT
San Diego State returns home to Steve Fisher Court at Viejas Arena on Wednesday to face Colorado State at 7:30 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on FS1 and San Diego Sports 760.