The Aztecs take down New Mexico 64-62 to advance to the finals where they will face Utah State.
BJ Davis makes a driving layup with three seconds remaining that brings back memories of Lamar Butler’s game winning shot in the NCAA Semi-Finals in 2023.
Magoon Gwath resurgence leads to 17 points and six rebounds carrying the Aztecs into the conference finals against the Aggies.
Aztec basketball was on full display Friday night at the Thomas & Mack Center where over 9,000 fans were treated to a thriller
that went down to the wire. The Aztecs and Lobos fought evenly throughout the evening, trading leads. The largest Aztec lead was six while the Lobos held onto a brief five point lead. Perimeter defense played key in the Aztecs victory. Despite giving up 20 points to Deyton Albury, the Aztecs were able to effectively challenge shots and force the Lobos into their second lowest shooting percentage at 33%. The Aztecs were also effective in keeping the Lobos from scoring in the paint, where they only managed 22 points. The Lobos were also cold from the charity stripe, hitting only 15 of 28. The Lobos had missed opportunities, but the Aztecs managed to swarm with aggressive defense as well as opportunistic scoring. In addition to Gwath and his 17 points, BJ Davis, in his role as hero, managed 12 points and six rebounds. No other player managed double digits. The Aztecs had offensive challenges themselves, managing 41% shooting from the field and a paltry 24% from beyond the arc. They again had challenges from the free throw line hitting only 13 of 21 shots. Both teams had missed opportunities, but in the end it was BJ Davis, taking control as he has throughout the season with the ball and the clock winding down. His forte has been to hold the ball while the clock winds down and then drive the lane. This time he took the ball, dribbled by Lobos guard Deyton Albury, cutting down the right side of the key to bank the ball off the glass to break the 62-62 tie. Davis makes this a habit as he also made a layup to end the first half. He also broke a tie with 10 seconds remaining in the teams first meeting in San Diego, leading to an 83-79 Aztec win.
Coach Brian Dutcher said this of Davis, “We just give him space, and he creates his own shot. He’s very good at it. He had a 3 at the end of the last New Mexico game that didn’t go in but it doesn’t change our mind. We want it in his hands at the end of the game with the game on the line.”
Davis added, “I saw a little opening, so I just wanted to attack the space. I saw an empty space. I think it’s just growing up, you always envision those type of scenarios when you’re just ot there by yourself. You know, just 3,2,1…”
New Mexico felt like they had the situation in hand. Head Coach Eric Olen said, “When we got Albury switched back on to him, I actually felt pretty good about potentially limiting the depth of his drive and it being more of a jump shot, but he was able to get pretty deep and make a good play.”
New Mexico had two seconds to even things. A tipped ball went out off San Diego State, giving the Lobos six-tenths of a second for a last second desperation shot which fell well short. An exciting finish to a very tight and strategic game. Neither team managed large scoring streaks and the lead was never more than six. Magoon Gwath kept the Aztecs on top with his outside shooting, impressive for a 7-footer. Rebounding from early injuries, Gwath returned to the starting lineup, helping to pace the Aztecs.
“I played hard,” Gwath said. “I didn’t press my game too much.”
Added Dutcher, “He’s getting a rhythm about him again. I mean, he’s been hurt and he finally seems like he’s in good health. He’s in a good place physically and mentally. Having him this time of the year playing this way gives us a lot better chance to be successful.”
The Lobos never gave up, with Albury contributing with timely shooting to help the Lobos keep pace. Lobos freshman sensation Jake Hall, was hounded all evening by Reese Dixon-Waters and only managed three points on 1-10 shooting. The freshman from Carlsbad High was averaging 16.4 points a game, struggled to get open against the smothering defense of Dixon-Waters. Of concern for the Aztecs was the departure of 6’9” forward Miles Heide due to an injury on his shooting hand.
The Aztecs were also able to put shackles on Lobos big man Tomislav Buljan, the 23-year old freshman pro from Croatia. He was held to 8 points, but did manage to grab 10 rebounds. The Aztecs surrounded him with multiple players in an effort to curtail his interior dominance.
This means the Aztecs will face Utah State tonight in the finals of the Mountain West Conference. The winner is assured an automatic bid in the NCAA tournament, while the loser will need to wait for the selection committee to make their decisions. The Aggies took care of Nevada, winning easily, 79-66. Both teams will be tired having played three games in the span of 48 hours. The teams exchanged home victories during the season. Utah State on 71-66 in Logan back in January, while the Aztecs returned the favor, winning 89-72 in San Diego back in February. The Aztecs will be in a conference final for the 12th time in the last 15 years, but they have struggled, winning only three of the finals. The Aggies are an early 1.5 point favorite to win the tournament championship and punch their ticket to March Madness. If the Aztecs win, Utah State, who would have an impressive 27-7 record, should be considered as an at-large team. Will any other Mountain West teams qualify? New Mexico is certainly worthy as is Grand Canyon, but those schools find themselves on the outside, looking in, their smudgy fingers leaving marks on the windows.
San Diego State and Utah State will be playing in their last Mountain West game, as both teams will depart to join the newly reformed Pac-12 conference next season. Both teams will leave a legacy of success and dominance, writing their names on the annals of conference record books. Until then, one final game, this evening on CBS, for all the marbles. Can the Aztecs continue to have one more dominating defensive performance? They lost by five, they won by 17. It certainly is in the cards for the Aztecs to move into the post season as tournament champions.
