San Diego State holds Colorado State to six baskets on the game, despite shooting nearly 50% from the free throw line.
Rams 33% shooting and Aztecs paint dominance sends SDSU to a rematch against New Mexico in yet another semi-final.
Thomas & Mack Center was maybe half full when the Aztecs and Rams took to the court on Thursday evening. The previous two games had finished and home team UNLV was sent packing in the first game, losing 80-60 to tournament favorite Utah State. The game was followed by
in-state rival Nevada holding off Grand Canyon 84-60. There were Aztec fans, but the majority of fans were for New Mexico, who would play the nightcap and defeat San Jose State 93-77. The Aztecs were coming off of a bye and had four days to rest and prepare for Colorado State. Much of the focus was on defensively controlling the game. Count that as a success as they managed to keep the Rams away from the basket and away from the ball. On the evening, the Aztecs stymied the Rams on offense, holding them to only six baskets on 33% shooting. The Rams had twice as many three-pointers, going 13-34 from beyond the arc. The Rams were strangers at the free-throw line as well, converting only 11 of 13 attempts. The Aztecs outrebounded Colorado State 43-31 and thoroughly controlled the paint, outscoring the Rams 42-8.
The players approached the game with new focus and energy, knowing that they might indeed have to win out to get into the NCAA tournament. Trademark Aztec basketball was at the forefront as the team played to Coach Brian Dutcher’s guidance as a coach.
“Defense and rebounding win championships. Unfortunately, so does free-throw shooting, but we escaped tonight with some bad free-throw shooting,” said Dutcher.
He added, “I’m going to fire the free-throw coach, but it’s me, so I’m going to give myself one more day to try to get it right.”
The Aztecs were dismal from the line, going 22-42 from the line. Everyone missed. Miles Heide, Miles Byrd, Tae Simmons, Maghoon Gwath, Taj DeGourville, and Sean Newman Jr. The Rams employed a foul and pray approach to try and slow down the Aztecs. The game should have been a wider margin of victory than it was. The attempts were the most for the Aztecs in a regulation game in 23 years.
“It’s a credit to our defense,” said Dutcher. You know, you miss free throws and you giv in. All of a sudden you look up, and it’s a two point game. But we continued to get stops, no matter what happened at the foul line. We didn’t let the frustration consume us where we didn’t play good defense at the other end.”
The Aztecs were led on offense by Miles Byrd who scored 12 points, followed by Reese-Dixon-Waters and Pharoah Compton with 11 each. Coach Dutcher’s lineup adjustment were to put two low posts to ensure an advantage on the rebounds. This led to 14 offensive rebounds and 18 second-chance points. Byrd and Heidi both had 8 rebounds, Simmons added six more and every player contributed at least two boards in the victory.
The Rams were led by Brandon Rechstiner with 16 points and four boards. Jase Butler added 14 and Kyle Jorgensen added 10 more. The Rams had no answer for the Aztecs defense and in the second half resorted to fouling. The strategy worked, but the Rams were unable to convert, shooting a miserly 33% from the field. They started on fire, jumping out to a 13-8 on 5 of 7 shooting, but that quickly turned to ice as the Aztecs physically wore down the Rams squad. The Aztecs used a 10-0 run and a 9-0 run to race out to a 39-26 lead at halftime. The Rams managed to cut a 16-point Aztec lead to single digits, but failed to convert on their side of the court.
The Aztecs will now face New Mexico on just a few hours rest. The Aztecs last played New Mexico back on February 28 in New Mexico, an 81-76 loss. The Aztecs won their home game against the Lobos on January 17, 83-79. What to expect tomorrow evening? More of the focus on defense, rebounding and points in the paint. The Lobos will bring a stronger presence inside with bigger bodies.
Miles Byrd added, “We got to hit film tonight with great focus, great energy. Got to hit shoot-around tomorrow with great focus, great energy. Have to warm up really hard tomorrow before the game…Don’t let a win like this slip. Keep the same intent to everything we do.”
The Aztecs will need to do all the things right to move into the finals, against either Utah State or Nevada. A berth in the NCAA tournament is hanging in the balance,
