SAN DIEGO – San Diego State scored the first eight points of the second half and didn’t look back against Colorado State on Wednesday night, ultimately winning 73-50 at Viejas Arena.
San Diego State (15-5, 9-1 Mountain West) remains alone atop the conference standings ahead of Saturday morning’s game at Utah State.
Colorado State (12-9, 3-7 MW) heads to Wyoming to face the Cowboys on Saturday night.
After falling behind 8-2 nearly four minutes into the contest, SDSU responded with 11 consecutive points. BJ Davis made a pair of free throws and a basket. Reese Dixon-Waters made two shots including a three-pointer and Pharaoh Compton added two free throws of his own to turn the six-point deficit into a five-point lead. SDSU extended that lead in the waning minutes of the first half. Dixon-Waters, Sean Newman Jr., Taj DeGourville and Miles Byrd each scored buckets for an 8-0 run before a few CSU points cut SDSU’s lead to 33-27 heading into halftime.
The Aztecs responded at the beginning of the second half, scoring on a trio of Byrd free throws, a Dixon-Waters basket, a Miles Heide free throw and a Byrd dunk to stretch the lead to 41-27. The Rams replied with two three-pointers before another SDSU run, this time 9-0 including the first five points coming courtesy of Dixon-Waters. The Aztecs led by at least 15 points for the remainder of the contest, holding on to win 73-50.
Dixon-Waters (16 points) and Compton (15 points) led the scoring for San Diego State. Miles Byrd chipped in ten points of his own. Davis dished out five assists.
Colorado State was led by Jevin Muniz’ nine points and Josh Pascarelli’s five rebounds.
San Diego State shot better from the field (54.0%-33.3%), beyond the arc (46.2%-26.7%) and the free throw line (76.5%-71.4%). The Aztecs had more steals (10-5) and scored more in the paint (30-14) and off the bench (34-22).
THE NOTE
Pharaoh Compton’s 15 points were his career-high against a DI opponent.
UP NEXT
San Diego State heads to Logan this weekend to take on Utah State at 10 a.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on CBS and San Diego Sports 760.