Wayne McKinney III earned his shot to win the game at Air Force

Credit: Don De Mars/EVT Sports

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Credit: Don De Mars/EVT Sports

Aztecs’ senior guard Wayne McKinney III came up clutch for the Aztecs as they faced defeat until the final buzzer

The San Diego State Aztecs barely snuck by at the Air Force Academy.

Donning the Scarlet, the Aztecs trailed late in the game, and with around five seconds left on the clock, Wayne McKinney III ran the length of the court to beat the buzzer with a layup. With so little time, there was no time to think. The main goal is just hope you can get a shot off.

A few weeks back, the Aztecs were in a similar situation. Against Utah State, the Aztecs found themselves down with seven seconds left after Tucker Anderson hit a go-ahead three to take a one-point lead. McKinney III missed the three-point shot at the buzzer.

After the win against Air Force, head coach Brian Dutcher explained the difference between this opportunity versus what happened against Utah State.

“The difference in that was that against Utah State, it was unscripted as opposed to tonight, when we had a scripted play where we hit (McKinney) on the run, (Coleman-Jones) cracked him, and that’s why he got where he was going,” Dutcher said. “In the Utah State game, they threw it in. I was trying to take a time out, and they were up to their own devices. They’re going to drive down. Maybe you can still win the game. We’ve had that happen too, but I thought the play worked pretty well to get a layup with the game on the line.”

Dutcher also explained that he did not tell anyone to drive to the rim. With so little time, it’s unclear how good of a look you will get.

“Plan A, B, and C. Plan A worked, and we escaped with a win,” Dutcher said.

Credit: Don De Mars/EVT Sports

When the Aztecs needed a clutch shot, McKinney III stepped up. He had the ball in his hands late before, and it did not fall. He had a second opportunity, and he delivered. Without Miles Byrd or Nick Boyd on the court after fouling out, the Aztecs didn’t have many options other than going to the senior. BJ Davis played well, but according to Dutcher, the choice was easy.

“Wayne was scoring in the second half; he was the one putting it in the basket,” Dutcher said postgame. “BJ was getting great looks, but they wouldn’t go in for him today. He missed a corner three and a foul line jump shot. I told BJ after the game, I’ll take every shot you took, BJ. They’re all good looks. I only get upset when they’re bad looks. You took good looks, and they just didn’t fall today. Don’t worry about it. Wayne’s were falling, so that’s why I went to him.”

The Aztecs are going to need both guards to hit tough shots again and again for them down the line. McKinney got his chance, and there is no telling if Davis will be needed in the same capacity. I’m sure, however, that Davis will be ready when his time is needed.

McKinney III has played a lot of basketball in his four-year career. He started a majority of games at USD until this season and shoots over 42% for his career. Having a player like that off the bench is beneficial to the Aztecs. The more he scores off the bench the more he’ll have his opportunity to play late.

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The senior shared his thoughts after the game about what happened late in this contest compared to Utah State.

“Last time we had a game-winning opportunity, it wasn’t necessarily the greatest shot,” he said postgame. “We were down one. I shot a three. I feel like I could’ve got to the rim. I learned from that, went to watch film, did everything I could to learn from and get better from that. We practice these scenarios in practice all the time. We have to understand how much time we have on the clock, and if we can get to the rim, then let’s do it.”

He followed up with his response on how the decision was made.

“I was just ready for the moment,” he said. “It could have been any one of us. I know any one of us would have executed that play. It could have been for (Davis), (DeGourville) or me. We could have drawn up a play for our bigs to get it at half-court, throw it in, or whatever it may be. Everybody, every single one of us, is ready. Having them put that trust in me, knowing I can get a shot off, I really appreciate it.”

After the game, McKinney said that he has a few game-winners in his career. He had two last season against Pepperdine and said he had lots in high school.

SDSU will play another tough road game against Nevada on Saturday night. The Wolf Pack are 11-8 overall and 3-5 in conference play. A win for the Aztecs could propel them to a big run with just 11 games remaining on the schedule.

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