San Diego State Aztecs Dominate UNLV Runnin' Rebels with Strong Second Half Performance

The San Diego State Aztecs improved their record to 15-5 after a commanding victory over the UNLV Runnin' Rebels, who now stand at 10-10. The final score of the game was 82-71 in favor of SDSU. This matchup showcased the Aztecs' ability to pull away in the second half, outscoring UNLV by a significant margin.

First Half

The first half saw both teams battling closely, with the San Diego State Aztecs taking a narrow lead into halftime. The Aztecs scored 39 points compared to the Runnin' Rebels' 34 points. Key contributions came from Miles Byrd and Reese Dixon-Waters, who combined for several crucial plays that kept SDSU ahead.

Second Half

In the second half, SDSU's offensive prowess became evident as they added another 43 points to their tally. The team's field goal percentage was an impressive 56 percent overall, with standout performances from players like Taj DeGourville and Pharaoh Compton contributing significantly off the bench. Their efforts helped extend SDSU's lead and secure their victory.

Key Performances

Miles Byrd emerged as a pivotal player for SDSU with his excellent shooting accuracy—hitting all three of his three-point attempts—and providing five assists throughout the game. His performance was complemented by Reese Dixon-Waters’ defensive efforts, which included two steals that disrupted UNLV's offensive flow.

On defense, San Diego State limited UNLV’s effectiveness by forcing them into committing turnovers while maintaining pressure on their shooters. Despite some resistance from key players on UNLV’s side like Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn and Magoon Gwath leading in rebounds for their team, it wasn't enough to overcome SDSU’s dominance.

Conclusion

The San Diego State Aztecs vs UNLV Runnin' Rebels final score reflected a well-rounded performance by SDSU as they capitalized on game-changing plays against their opponents at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Looking ahead, fans can catch San Diego State back in action against Colorado State Rams at Viejas Arena on January 28th at 7:30 PM EDT. The game will be broadcasted live on Fox Sports 1—be sure not to miss it!

For more insights into this exciting matchup or other games this season including detailed analysis such as "San Diego State Aztecs vs UNLV Runnin' Rebels highlights" or "San Diego State Aztecs vs UNLV Runnin' Rebels full match report," stay tuned! Share this article with fellow fans and keep supporting your favorite team!