UNLV sweeps Aztecs in season series with 74-67 win
Credit: SDSU Athletics
Runnin’ Rebels hot three-point shooting against Aztecs allowed for them to win their sixth in seven games
The San Diego State Aztecs and UNLV Runnin’ Rebels met for a late-season contest at Thomas & Mack Center. San Diego State had a chance to win the game late but ultimately couldn’t contain UNLV’s shooting. Julian Rishwain and Jaden Henley combined to score 43 points on 10-19 shooting from beyond the arc.
The entire first half saw back-and-forth action. SDSU’s largest lead reached only six points, and there were a total of seven ties and six different lead changes.
The Aztecs’ backcourt played very well in the first 20 minutes. Nick Boyd reach 10 points while Miles Byrd had seven and BJ Davis had six. Byrd added six rebounds, four assists, one block, and one steal as well. He was all over the floor, helping force the Runnin’ Rebels to commit six turnovers in the first half. That trio also combined to assist on eight of the team’s nine assists as they played great team basketball in the first half.
🔨🔨 time for @PharaohCompton!
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— San Diego State Men’s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) March 5, 2025
UNLV saw success offensively from two of their starters, Jaden Henley and Rishwain. They each shot 3-5 from beyond the arc, and the team made seven first-half triples. Those 21 points kept them in the contest as they shot just 3-11 from inside the arc. Rishwain seemed to be living in the moment as he was energetic and verbal after some of his made shots.
Right before the end of the half, both Davis and Boyd (right before the buzzer) hit tough shots plus the foul, however, neither could make their free throws and the Aztecs led by just two at the break, 34-32.
Byrd started the second half with his 5th assist of the night to Miles Heide for a basket at the rim.
That four-point lead vanished quickly as the Rebels nailed two more three-pointers. The momentum swung their way for a majority of the second half.
Freshman Taj DeGourville regained the lead for the Aztecs with just over 16 minutes remaining in the game. The bad news was they committed six fouls in four minutes as well. UNLV was in the bonus the rest of the way.
Rishwain and Henley were shooting the lights out. Rishwain nailed is fifth triple of the game off of a step back right in front of Boyd. Seconds later, an alley-oop from Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry forced Brian Dutcher to call a timeout. UNLV led 46-42.
The Scarlet & Black found a spark. They went on a quick 6-0 run highlighted by Byrd’s electric play. He slammed home a put-back jam and then launched a deep triple for a swish to regain the lead 48-46. The lead did not last.
Byrd‼️ @_mbyrd21
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— San Diego State Men’s Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) March 5, 2025
Both Byrd and Boyd took over the offense for the Aztecs and their elite play was needed in order for their team to get out of there with a win.
With 11 minutes to play, there were 11 ties and 10 lead changes. The game was tied at 50.
UNLV’s three-pointer shooting continued to sizzle. They were 11-22 from deep to this point and made a huge statement with their clutch shots. A lot of those makes came against good defending. Sometimes, you just have to tip your cap.
Both Henley and Jailen Bedford picked up their fourth personal fouls. However, the Rebels kept the slight momentum. The Rebels saw their largest lead of the game reach seven. Rishwain was feeling it and hit yet another step-back shot. He forced Dutcher to call another timeout as SDSU trailed 63-56 with 4:40 remaining.
San Diego State struggled from the charity stripe. They rarely converted on both of their attempts. After Byrd went 1-2, Davis went to the line and finally hit two in a row and trimmed the lead down to four. Overall to this point, SDSU was 12-20. Converting on free attempts is extremely crucial at this point in the season.
Byrd stole the ball yet again, and Boyd made the layup at the other end. SDSU’s deficit was just two with 3:20 remaining. The game almost came down to the wire, but instead, the Rebels hit clutch shots, and the Aztecs ran out of time. UNLV finished 50% from deep and their 12 made triples gave them the edge. SDSU could not defend it.
Rishwain balled out Tuesday night. His career-high of 26 points led UNLV to a huge win and a season sweep against San Diego State.
The Aztecs will finish 5th in the Mountain West for the second consecutive year unless Colorado State defeats Boise State on Friday night, followed by a SDSU win against Nevada. If that happens, they will finish fourth.
San Diego State needs to dominate Nevada on Saturday night. They have the resume to make the NCAA Tournament, but they need to make it convincing this weekend and the following week in Las Vegas.
Stats
- Boyd led SDSU with 19 points on 7-15 shooting. He added four rebounds and three assists.
- Byrd finished with 15 points on 5-14 shooting and 2-10 from beyond the arc. He had 10 rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and four steals in another monster defensive performance.
- Heide and Davis both had 10 points.
- Believe it or not, Heide finished with zero rebounds.
- SDSU had the 30-20 advantage in the paint
- UNLV led in boards 36-33
- They shot 51% from the field and 50% from deep.
- UNLV led for 16:47
- Rishwain had 26 points, three rebounds, and four assists
- Henley had 17 points and four assists
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.