San Diego State Outpaces Utah State Aggies 86-70 in Mountain West Semifinal
The San Diego State Aztecs outperformed the Utah State Aggies with a decisive 86-70 victory in the Mountain West Conference semifinal. The Aztecs, who came into the game unranked, showcased their prowess against the 18th-ranked Aggies. The win-loss record for San Diego State now stands at an impressive 0-0, while Utah State's record shifts to 0-1.
From tip-off at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, the Aztecs demonstrated a robust offensive and defensive strategy. By halftime, they had accumulated a solid lead of 36 points to Utah State's 39. However, it was in the second half that San Diego State truly dominated by adding an additional 50 points to their score compared to only 31 from the Aggies.
San Diego State excelled in various aspects of play throughout the game. They were particularly effective on rebounds with a total of 43 compared to Utah State's 35. Of these rebounds for SDSU, an impressive number were on offense (14), giving them valuable second-chance opportunities which they converted into an additional 20 points.
The Aztecs also showed superiority when it came to shooting accuracy; they achieved a field goal percentage of forty-seven percent and were successful on fifty-four percent of their two-point attempts. Their free throw performance was notable as well with twenty made out of thirty attempts resulting in sixty-seven percent accuracy.
Defensively, SDSU matched their offensive intensity by recording six blocks and six steals during the game which contributed significantly to thirteen points off turnovers. This defensive pressure limited Utah State's scoring chances and disrupted their rhythm throughout both halves.
A key factor contributing to San Diego States' success was their ball handling; they maintained a low turnover count at five while achieving fourteen assists leading to an assist-turnover ratio of two point eight - showcasing efficient ball distribution and careful possession control.
As fans look forward to future broadcasts featuring San Diego States' continued journey through this season’s games, it is clear that this victory over Utah States has set a high standard for performance going forward.