San Jose State outmanned and outmatched plays to the hilt to keep up but falls short
San Diego State (8-4, 2-0 MW) once again reminded San Jose State (5-8, 0-2 MW) what life in the Mountain West looks like when depth, physicality, and late-game execution converge.
Behind a relentless bench attack and a defense that tightened with the game hanging in the balance, the Aztecs pulled away for an 81–68 victory over the Spartans on Tuesday night at the Provident Credit Union Event Center, extending their winning streak over San Jose State to 16 straight and spoiling what was another gritty, short-handed effort from head coach Tim Miles’ group
The night began predictably uncomfortable for the Spartans. The Aztec’s full-court pressure disrupted early rhythm, forcing turnovers on four of the Spartans’ first six possessions. The Aztecs pushed the pace, crashing the glass and flooding the paint, building a 13–9 lead at the first timeout despite committing early mistakes of their own.
An 8–0 San Diego run out of the first break stretched the margin to double figures before Yaphet Moundi briefly halted the bleeding with a breakaway dunk following an Aztec turnover. Moundi left the game halfway into the first-half; not returning for the remainder of the game.
The momentum didn’t last for the Spartans.
The Aztecs ripped off a 14–2 surge fueled by second-chance points and interior dominance with Magoon Gwath making his presence felt on both ends during a five-point possession swing that reestablished control.
Still, the Spartans refused to fold. Melvin Bell Jr. and Colby Garland connected from deep to spark a late first-half push, trimming what had once been a comfortable Aztec cushion down to two. Aztec Douglas Langford’s tip-in at the buzzer sent San Jose State into the locker room trailing just 42–38.
It was a small miracle considering the Spartans’ 13 first-half turnovers and SDSU’s 58 percent shooting.
The second-half turned into a slugfest.
Jermaine Washington opened the frame with five quick points and after Marcus Overstreet scored the Spartans’ first and only bench bucket, San Jose claimed its first lead of the night at 53–52.
It was a fleeting moment and just one of two lead changes all evening.
With 11 Aztecs in the scoring column, San Diego’s bench outscored San Jose’s bench 42-2 and also overwhelmed the Spartans in the paint 44-22.
As Garland went to the bench for a much-needed breather, the Aztecs pounced; stringing together a 6–0 run while the Spartans missed three straight shots.
That’s when the Aztecs leaned into their identity.
BJ Davis drilled timely jumpers. Reese Dixon-Waters punished late rotations and San Diego State’s defense clamped down; holding San Jose State to 29 percent shooting in the second half and just one made three-pointer after the intermission.
Garland did everything he could to keep the Spartans afloat.
The junior guard poured in a game-high 30 points, attacking gaps and drawing fouls to go a perfect 14-for-14 from the free throw line. “I just trusted myself,” said Garland after the Aztecs continually doubled the most effective Spartan. “I got to the free throw line 14 times by was just trying to get in the paint.”
“They’re also a long athletic team and we have to play smart and be craftier against that athleticism,” added Garland.
But fatigue eventually caught up. With San Jose State missing key contributors and inside enforcer Moundi, Miles leaned heavily on his starters, who logged extended minutes against a deep Aztec rotation that featured 10 scorers and 42 bench points.
“I’m proud of our kids,” Miles said. “Extremely short-handed, and they fought down to the bitter end. We competed.”
In the final minutes, San Diego delivered the knockout blow — back-to-back dagger threes and forced turnovers sealing the outcome.
The Aztecs walked out with another conference road win, while San Jose State was left with a familiar Mountain West lesson: effort keeps you close, but depth and execution finish the job.
For the Spartans, the fight was there. The margin for error was not.
Next up: San Jose State travels to Utah State this Saturday.
Category: General Sports
