Head coach Brian Dutcher won his 200th career game on Sunday, becoming the third coach in SDSU history to do so [George Ziegenfuss (316), Steve Fisher (386)]

Viejas Arena – San Diego State University 

The San Diego State Aztecs hosted the Idaho State Bengals for a rare meeting between the two programs. The last time these two squads met up was back in December of 1980.

Guard Latrell Davis did not suit up for this contest, leaving behind questions on whether he will be a part of this 2025-26 team or redshirt for the season. Diutcher confirmed postgame that a redshirt is the plan for Davis. Magoon Gwath was out as well.

Reese Dixon-Waters returned to the starting lineup along with Miles Byrd, Taj DeGourville, Jeremiah Oden, and Miles Heide.

Welcome back Reese 👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/pfD3ADP9ME

— Chris Spiering (@Clutch__Chris) November 9, 2025

‘It was a pretty good game, I was happy with it,” Dutcher said postgame. “It is what you want in a preseason game. They were a good opponent, I knew that on tape watching them. They have a lot of new players, well-coached; they do what they do. Obviously, our pressure wore them down. Our pressure affected the game in both halves.”

Miles Byrd finger-rolled the first bucket of the game on the very first possession. Reese Dixon-Waters then drained his first shot of the game in his return to action, then converted an and-one finish to put his team up 7-0. The Aztecs hit their first three shots of the contest. This was something the Scarlet & Black needed to see after struggling to score early in games.

The Aztecs started to full-court press after making shots, before five minutes had elapsed on the clock. Five minutes into the game, Dutcher has already gone 10 deep. Both freshmen, Elzie Harrington and Tae Simmons, were a part of the second unit. Another member of the second unit, Pharaoh Compton, entered the game and scored four quick points and blocked a shot. However, he quickly left the game after picking up his second foul. Usually, Dutcher doesn’t put you back into the game in the first half with two fouls. Compton didn’t return to the floor until the second half.

Dutcher was substituting a lot early on, keeping his players’ legs fresh for a long season ahead. The foul trouble was a big reason why. Despite the foul trouble, this tactic really benefited the Aztecs and their ability to keep pressure on at all times. Full-court pressing is tough to do for a long period of time. The Aztecs ended the first half by continuing to keep that pressure on full court.

Thokbor Majak earned a rare entrance into the game as Heide picked up his second foul. You won’t see Majak in the game early like this very often unless foul trouble occurs. Funny enough, Majak then picked up his second foul. Simmons ended the half at the five spot.

Idaho State started 3-7 from deep to begin, with one prayer that fell. The Bengals began to creep back into the game by hitting tough shots over the strong Aztecs’ defense. However, the Bengals ended the half struggling to score, going just 1-7 to end. SDSU’s lead reached double digits as they commanded a 34-21 lead at the break.

Byrd began the second half, forcing four quick turnovers before three and a half minutes could elapse from the clock. Just an unreal performance from the star player who was putting on a defensive clinic at Steve Fisher Court. His pressure continued as he forced a 6th turnover in the half.

Byrd proved on Sunday evening that he is one of the best defensive players in the country. He ended the game with six steals.

That’s just what @_mbyrd21 does 😤#GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/THLhqlUn4w

— San Diego State Men’s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) November 9, 2025

SDSU’s lead began to increase; however, the Bengals would not go away. They converted on good looks and kept their deficit within range at this point in the game. The Aztecs’ lead reached 20 points, but the Bengals quickly brought it back down to 15. SDSU was in control, but the Aztecs were not blowing them out.

With 10:20 remaining in the game, anything can happen. Idaho State was relying on its star player, Connor Hollenbeck, to bring them back. He hit his 4th triple of the game to bring the score back down to 12, then SDSU increased it back to 17 quickly.

“On the pick & pop four, we were supposed to be switching him,” Dutcher said about Hollenbeck hitting threes after setting screens. “A 4-man ball-screen with our guards, we wanted to switch. But sometimes we start fighting over and don’t switch. So, that is perfect, we know moving forward. We didn’t execute that. So, we did a poor job of switching. It didn’t cost us the game, but it showed us one more thing we need to work on.”

Hollenbeck finished with a game-high 17 points, going 4-8 from beyond the arc. He did his all to try and keep his team in the game. Idaho State hit 4/5 shots late, but it was not enough. Dixon-Waters and the Aztecs put the Bengals away late.

Compton ended up having a monster game, despite the foul trouble. He scored on all seven of his attempts (mostly dunks) and ended with 14 points and had two blocks.

The Bengals scored some trash-time points to bring the result to under 20 points. The final score was not the one the Aztecs had hoped to see, but a win is a win, and the Scarlet & Black are 2-0.

Here is what Dutcher said about his career milestone.

“I’m happy Fisher retired cause I think he could still coach and he’s have 200 more,” Dutcher said while chuckling. “He’d have about 1,000 by now. But, I’m glad he handed the reins over the me. I learned from him as a head coach, as you surround yourself with good people. I am just a byproduct of all the amazing people I surround myself with.”

The Aztecs will have eight days off as they prepare to take on Troy right back here on The Mesa on Tuesday, November 18. Magoon Gwath has a real shot to make his season debut.

News & Stats

• Pharaoh Compton finished 7-7 from the floor with 14 points, but fouled out after a technical foul.
• Reese Dixon-Waters ended with 15 points on 6-8 shooting.
• Jeremiah Oden finished with 13 points.
• Miles Byrd had 6 steals and 6 assists.
• Miles Heide had 9 points on 4-8 shooting.
• Elzie Harrington ended with eight points.
• SDSU shot 59% from the floor, holding Idaho State to under 44% shooting.

Chris Spiering

Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and now covers San Diego State Men’s Basketball. He also contributes regularly about the Padres. Chris is an athlete and is a huge fan of San Diego sports.