San Diego State beats Utah State for Mountain West title

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jaedon LeDee scored 15 factors and Matt Bradley added 14 to guide No. 20 San Diego State to a 62-57 victory over Utah State in Saturday’s Mountain West Match championship sport.

The Aztecs (27-6) claimed their seventh match title, and second in three years. This additionally was their conference-record fifteenth look within the title sport.

San Diego State clinched the convention’s bid to the NCAA Match, although it was by no means unsure the Aztecs could be chosen. What sort of seed San Diego State receives stays to be seen.

Utah State (26-8) additionally figures to be headed to the match when the alternatives are introduced Sunday.

This was the fourth time within the final 5 years the groups have performed one another within the Mountain West championship sport. Utah State gained the 2019 and 2020 title video games, and San Diego State went residence with the 2021 trophy. Boise State quickly ended the monopoly final season by beating the Aztecs 53-52.

Neither crew shot properly Saturday, with San Diego State making 33.3% of its pictures in comparison with 37.1% for the Aggies.

No San Diego State gamers reached double-figure scoring apart from Ledee and Mitchell. For Utah State, Steven Ashworth scored 13 factors and Trevin Dorius 12.

The Aggies had been sizzling early, nevertheless, happening a 12-2 run within the first half to take a 26-15 lead with 6:57 left, however then went chilly. They didn’t make one other area objective till 1:43 into the second half, however one way or the other did not fall behind throughout that stretch.

However the Aztecs received shut, and finally went backwards and forwards with Utah State within the second half. San Diego State practically put away the sport by going up 53-46 with 3:03 left, however the Aggies received again to inside three factors with 48 seconds remaining and two factors with 30.3 seconds to go.

San Diego State closed out the sport on the free throw line by making 9 of 10 free throws within the ultimate 43 seconds.

THE BIG PICTURE

Utah State: The Aggies entered the sport fourth nationally in 3-point proportion at 40.1, however struggled badly in opposition to San Diego State’s lengthy, athletic protection. Utah State made simply 4 of 24 3-point makes an attempt.

San Diego State: The Aztecs are available in waves. 9 gamers had been within the sport, and every was on the ground for at the very least 16 minutes and eight at the very least 19. All 9 scored and picked up rebounds.

UP NEXT

Utah State: The Aggies have a NET rating of No. 18, so it might be fairly a shock if they don’t seem to be chosen to the NCAA Match.

San Diego State: A possible six seed could possibly be coming San Diego State’s manner, however the Aztecs additionally might need labored their manner right into a No. 5.