Boise- Idaho

After a heartbreaking late loss to Utah State, the San Diego State men’s basketball team headed to Boise State for a tough matchup against the Broncos.

San Diego State is a young team. There will be lessons learned as the 2024-25 season plays out.

The loss to Utah State last week taught the squad that they must close out games and cannot allow a weaker opponent to stay in the game. That killer instinct should come in time, and hopefully, this squad can peak at the right time- when March Madness is here.

The Aztecs, dressed in black on Saturday, looked to play the villain role in Idaho. Boise State has won six of the last seven matches against SDSU.

SDSU continued their defensive dominance early but were cold from the floor as the game started 8-4, Boise State through the first five minutes of the game.

Three early turnovers were an issue for the Aztecs as they navigated through adversity on the road.

Pharaoh Compton, who was questionable to play, did not play in the game. An ankle injury in Monday’s practice had him questionable at best for the game. His presence was missed early as Compton is proving to be a consistent scorer.

Miles Byrd was hot in the first half, as he put up 11 points in the first 12 minutes of the game. With his father, Calvin Byrd, in attendance, the 6-foot-7 guard put on a show shooting the ball.

The Aztecs took a 25-22 lead with six minutes left in the first half behind a strong defensive performance.

Magoon Gwath got in early foul trouble, though, as the talented seven-footer earned two fouls within the first 12 minutes of the game and sat the rest of the half. With Gwath on the bench in foul trouble and Compton out, Bosie State was able to make a late run as the first half closed.

It was a close game at the half in Boise as SDSU held a 33-32 lead.

Byrd led the Aztecs with 14 points, and the Broncos were led in scoring by freshman Chris Lockett and sophomore Andrew Meadow, who each scored eight points in the first half for Boise State. Tyson Degenhart was held scoreless from the field (0-for-4), but he was five out of six from the free-throw line. It was a close game as there were four ties in the game and three lead changes to this point.

The second half began with a strong defensive stand by SDSU. Byrd hit a long three-pointer for the Aztecs in the half’s opening minutes but missed an easy dunk on the following possession. To this point, Byrd provided most of the offense for the Aztecs.

Alvaro Cardenas missed most of the first half as the point guard for the Broncos sat with two early fouls. The offensive tempo for the Broncos picked up with Cardenas back in the lineup in the second half. SDSU improved their transition game to keep up with Boise State, which continued to press the ball to the basket.

With 10 minutes left to play in the contest, SDSU held a 54-50 lead.

Byrd continues to shine as he produced 19 points at this point in the game. Wayne McKinney III chipped in with eight points, and Jared Coleman-Jones had nine points to this point in the game. SDSU looked poised as it held the lead for most of the second half.

With a little over six minutes left in the game, Boise State scored five quick points to make it a 58-57 game. SDSU held the lead, but you got a sense momentum was shifting toward the home team.

Cardenas was an issue for the Aztecs as BJ Davis sat with four fouls in the game. Degenhart continued to be scoreless from the field, but he was making plays with the ball and pulling down key rebounds for the Broncos. The Aztecs needed an adjustment in the final six minutes.

SDSU consciously prevented the Boise State point guard Cardenas from handling the ball downcourt, and that seemed to have an effect on the offensive flow of the Broncos. The Aztecs’ defense continued to smother Boise State and force turnovers. Cardenas earned his fourth foul with four minutes left in the game, which was huge for the Aztecs.

A 7-0 run for the Aztecs put SDSU up 65-57 with 3:21 left in the game.

With under two minutes in the game, Taj Degourville drove to the basket and picked up his own missed shot to put SDSU up by eight. The freshman stepped up big in the contest for SDSU.

21 for #21 @_mbyrd21 (a career-high)
📺: @CBSSportsCBB pic.twitter.com/YFrqnbB5QG

— San Diego State Men’s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) January 4, 2025

The Aztecs failed to allow any field goals from the Broncos in the closing eight minutes. Degenhart continued to be a non-factor in shooting the ball. SDSU held a 69-63 lead with one minute left in the game. Cardenas fouled out to force Nick Boyd to the line with a chance to ice the game. The point guard hit a pair of free throws and put SDSU up eight with less than a minute to play.

San Diego State struggled down the line with their free throws and allowed Boise State a chance, but they were able to close out the game. The end of the game was an issue for the Aztecs as a key turnover and multiple missed free throws allowed the Broncos an opportunity for a late win.

Byrd led the Aztecs with 22 points, but he missed three of four free throws with less than a minute left in the game. It was a new career high for Byrd as he made multiple tough shots on the night.

The win was big for the Aztecs as they picked up a Quad-1 win and avenged three straight losses to Boise State.

SDSU returns home for a game next Wednesday against Air Force at Viejas Arena.

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.