SAN DIEGO – San Diego State picked up a decisive home victory on Steve Fisher Court against the visiting Aggies of Utah State 89-72. The two programs now sit tied in conference play with both teams owning 13-4 records in the Mountain West. The race for a first-place finish in conference will likely be a close one with the Aztec’s having three more games remaining in their regular season schedule.
The first 10 minutes of play were a back-and-forth affair with neither team able to create separation on the scoreboard. Utah State’s Mason Falslev would convert a layup with roughly 10 minutes on the clock to tie the score 17-17. A Pharoah Compton layup on the next possession broke the stalemate before Reese Dixon-Waters scored eight consecutive points, including consecutive three point makes and a pair of free throws. With just over a minute remaining Magoon Gwath scored his first points of the night at the free throw line before hitting a three pointer as time expired to give the Aztecs a 46-33 lead heading into the break.
San Diego State wasted no time extending their lead coming out of halftime as Miles Byrd knocked down a shot from behind the arc before converting a fastbreak layup for a quick five-point run. With 12:14 on the clock the Aztecs, sparked by three free throw makes from Tae Simmons, went on a 15-6 scoring run over a three-minute span to push the lead to 24. Utah State would attempt a late rally behind a 10-point burst from MJ Collins but another Dixon-Waters bucket in transition pushed the score to 79-61 with roughly six minutes left to play. As time expired the Aztecs owned a convincing 89-72 lead having led for just under 31 minutes of playing time.
It was a balanced effort across the board for head coach Brian Dutcher’s team. Dixon-Waters led all scorers with 20 points on 50 percent shooting from behind the arc. Taj DeGourville scored 12 points while dishing out a game high eight assists. The duo of Pharaoh Compton and Tae Simmons each chipped in 11 points as the Aztecs pumped in 42 bench points compared to just 22 points from Utah States’ second unit. Magoon Gwath almost posted a double-double scoring nine points while pulling down a season high nine rebounds.
San Diego State’s defense limited Utah State to just 30 percent shooting from deep while winning the rebounding battle 38-30. They also forced 12 turnovers while shooting a very efficient, 55 percent from the floor with seven players scoring eight or more points.
UP NEXT
San Diego State will leave the confines of Viejas Arena for a two-game road trip. The Aztec’s road trip will start with a visit to New Mexico on February 28. SDSU was able to hold off the Lobos inside Viejas Arena earlier this season 83-79. Byrd scored 21 points to lead all scorers while grabbing eight rebounds the last time the two teams faced off. Tipoff is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. PST and will be broadcast on CBS.