SDSU Shocks Top Seed to Reach Final Four: Game Highlights, Score & Fan Reactions

LAS VEGAS—San Diego State’s March mantra has always been defense and rebounding, and both returned just in time to keep the Aztecs’ NCAA hopes alive. SDSU pounded Colorado State 71-62 in the Mountain West quarterfinals Thursday, winning the glass by a dozen and getting 24 bench points to offset a 1-for-11 night from beyond the arc. Nine Aztecs logged at least 15 minutes, led by sophomore guard Miles Byrd’s 12 points, while Reese Dixon-Waters and freshman forward Pharaoh Compton chipped in 11 apiece. Head coach Brian Dutcher’s deep rotation suffocated the Rams with fresh legs, holding CSU scoreless for the final 3:24 of the first half during an 11-0 burst that proved decisive. The victory pushes No. 2-seed SDSU (23-9) into tonight’s Mountain West semifinal against New Mexico, a rematch of January’s overtime thriller at Viejas Arena. Bracketologists have the Aztecs flirting with the bubble; one more win could lock up a program-record fifth straight NCAA berth, while a loss would leave their résumé light on Quad-1 wins. Key matchup to watch: Aztec rim protectors Jaedon LeDee and Elijah Saunders (combined 13.4 rebounds per game) versus Lobos star big JT Toppin, the conference’s Freshman of the Year. Controlling the paint again is non-negotiable—SDSU is 18-1 this season when winning the rebounding battle. What’s at stake tonight • Automatic bid within reach: A semifinal win sets up Saturday’s title game and removes all doubt from Selection Sunday. • Program momentum: The Aztecs are chasing their third Mountain West tournament crown in four years. • NBA eyes on Byrd: The 6-7 guard’s uptick in scoring and two-way versatility has scouts buzzing ahead of June’s draft combine. Tip-off is 6:30 p.m. PT at T-Mobile Arena. The game will air nationally on CBS Sports Network and stream on the Mountain West app. Fans traveling from San Diego can still find limited-view seats starting at $48 on secondary markets. SEO keywords: SDSU Aztecs, San Diego State basketball, Mountain West Tournament semifinal, New Mexico vs SDSU live stream, NCAA tournament bubble, Brian Dutcher, Miles Byrd, Aztecs schedule, March Madness hopes.