Undefeated no more; Aztecs lose 66-63 to UNLV
Credit: SDSU
Viejas Arena- San Diego, California
In the past, San Diego State never got flustered when they fell behind. Usually, they put some offensive runs together and pulled away from their opponents. On Saturday, the Aztecs got down 12 at the half and fell just short in the end as UNLV prevailed at Viejas Arena, 66-63.
In the final sequence, the Aztecs fell just short as Malachi Flynn hit a 3-pointer with less than 13 seconds on the clock to bring the Aztecs down one. After being fouled, Elijah Mitrou-Long hit two free throws to put increase the lead to three. Flynn shot a 3-pointer that did not fall, and Matt Mitchell had a desperation heave with two seconds that did not fall either, handing San Diego State their first loss.
The Aztec defense was nowhere to be found in the first half, allowing the Rebels to shoot 57.7% from the field and 46.2% from beyond the arc. On the other end, the Aztecs offense was atrocious, shooting 33.3%from the field and 16.7% from long range. Behind the Rebels six first-half threes, the visitors controlled the first half. Honestly, San Diego State was fortunate to get themselves to the line and find themselves only down 12 at the half.
The second half was flipped from the first. San Diego State’s defense came alive, and the Aztecs held UNLV to 27.6% from the field and 10.0% from three. Regardless of this – when the Rebels needed a big shot, they usually got it, which allowed them to keep a slight grip on the game. San Diego State got going, but the first half hole was too much to overcome.
— Aztec M. Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) February 23, 2020
Flynn led the way for the Aztecs with a game-high 24 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Mitchell had 13 points and six rebounds, while Jordan Schakel had 10 points before fouling out.
Mitrou-Long finished with a team-high 19 points for the Rebels. Amauri Hardy had 17 points, and Amauri Hardy finished with a double-double (11 points and 10 rebounds).
I am a big Aztec fan and have been covering the men’s basketball program for the last three years. A San Diego State alum, my passion for SDSU basketball grew from watching the the basketball team play while I was at school. I look forward to bringing Aztec news here to East Village Times.