Magoon Gwath leads Aztecs to big win at Nevada, 69-50

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Credit: Don De Mars/EVT Sports

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Credit: Don De Mars/EVT Sports

SDSU’s postseason chances improve after double-digit win on the road in Reno, Nevada

The San Diego State Aztecs and Nevada Wolf Pack met at Lawlor Event Center for the first of two matchups this season. The game was close early in the first half and it seemed Nevada could control the game. However, the Aztecs established dominance on the defensive end in one of their more impressive wins of the season.

San Diego State improves to 13-5 and 6-3 in conference play. With UNLV losing Saturday night at home to New Mexico, SDSU is alone in fourth place. Nevada falls to 11-9 and 3-6 in the Mountain West.

This contest was a game of runs to start.

San Diego State started the game by scoring five straight points. Before you know it, they go over seven and a half minutes without a point. Nevada went on an 11-0 scoring spree before the run ended from a goaltending call.

The contest was low-scoring to begin. Nevada led 11-7 with 11:25 remaining in the first half. Both teams shot below 40% from the floor to this point.

After about eight minutes, the Aztecs finally saw the ball go in the hoop off a banked triple from Taj DeGourville. SDSU then forced the Wolf Pack to commit back-to-back offensive fouls. As a result, the freshman from Las Vegas cut the lead to one point off two made free throws.

Kimo Ferrari entered the game for SDSU and immediately airballed a three-pointer. SDSU kept possession, and seconds later, he got another opportunity and nailed the triple from the corner. SDSU regained the lead, 15-13, and never lost it again.

The Aztecs kept pushing. Magoon Gwath nailed a three-pointer for his first points of the contest on his way to a massive night. As Daniel Foster dribbled up the court on the next possession, Miles Byrd stole the ball from him and slammed home the dunk for his first points.

The Aztecs had their biggest lead of the game at seven off a 13-0 run. Kobe Sanders ended the run off a dunk in transition.

Credit: Don De Mars/EVT Sports

Xavier DuSell proved valuable for the Wolf Pack, keeping his team in the game early on with eight points. He nailed two three-pointers in the first half.

Gwath dunked home a couple more attempts, and BJ Davis hit a layup before the half ended to give SDSU a 28-21 lead at the break.

Gwath led the Aztecs with seven points and added six rebounds, a block, and a steal. He impressed in the first half and led with a game-high +13.

A significant key to the game for SDSU was to limit the Wolf Pack on three-point attempts. Nevada shot just 2-11 from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes.

The following 20 minutes were crucial in the Aztecs’ postseason hopes.

Miles Byrd set the tone in the second half with a deep triple to put his team up ten. He doesn’t hesitate when shooting, even when he misses his first six jump shots as he did Saturday night. That is a big sign toward his progression.

Nevada didn’t hit a shot until the 15:00 mark as Justin McBride nailed a mid-range jumper. The only points came from Sanders at the line early in the second half. The Aztecs’ defense dominated. The Wolf Pack were shooting 26% from the field and could not find the net.

Davis picked up his fourth foul of the contest with 12 and a half minutes left. Brian Dutcher could not afford to lose any players to fouls as they did at Air Force. Fortunately for SDSU, that ended up not becoming a reality.

Gwath continued his excellent night with two more dunks — with Nevada players just watching, unable to contain the 7-footer. Gwath reached a double-double as he already had 10 boards. On that dunk, Byrd reached a career-high seven assists. The Aztecs’ biggest lead of the night reached 14.

SDSU kept the tight pressure defensively. The frustrations from Nevada were starting to show. SDSU took the crowd out of the game for the most part in what usually is a packed arena. Even at home, the Aztecs’ defensive pressure proved to be too much for Nevada.

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Credit: Don De Mars/EVT Sports

Gwath put his team up 18 with another made field goal. He did not miss a shot all night.

Out of a timeout with under five seconds left on the shot clock, DeGourville nailed his fourth triple of the contest. Dutcher called the play for the freshman, and he did not disappoint.

The Aztecs did not allow the Pack to come back. There was nothing they could do. SDSU played very well on both sides of the floor and dominated their way to a 19-point win. They led by as much as 21.

The Scarlet and Black will now return home to Viejas Arena as they host San Jose State. The contest is Tuesday, January 28, at 8:00 p.m. and can be seen on Fs1 and the Mountain West Network.

News & Stats

  • SDSU shot 48.2% from the field, held Nevada to 29.4% and 19.2% from deep.
  • Aztecs had 21 assists, 7 steals, 5 blocks
  • SDSU only committed 3 second half turnovers
  • 36 points in the paint for SDSU, only 12 for Nevada
  • Magoon Gwath led with 15 points on 7-7 shooting, grabbed 13 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal
  • Taj DeGourville with 14 points (4-5 from deep) and 3 assists
  • Miles Byrd had 11 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block

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