LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 04: Head coach Brian Dutcher of the San Diego State Aztecs looks on in the second half against the UNLV Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 04, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images)
Brian Dutcher said at halftime that rebounding and toughness would decide the game in their Mountain West quarterfinal clash with Boise State.
Advantage Broncos.
San Diego State gave up a 40-28 rebounding advantage, 13 offensive boards, 18 second chance points and 19 points off turnovers in their 62-52 loss in Vegas.
For the first time in his eight seasons as SDSU's head coach Dutcher's team will miss the Mountain West Championship Game.
Get top local stories in San Diego delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC San Diego's News Headlines newsletter.
Nick Boyd fueled San Diego State offensively, scoring 20 points and finishing as the only Aztec in double digits. BJ Davis put SDSU up 33-22 in the first half, but the Broncos responded with consecutive threes to trim their deficit to five points before intermission.
The Broncos opened the second half on a 7-0 run.
Boyd put SDSU ahead 47-45 on a layup with 9:11 left on the clock. They went the rest of the game without a made basket.
Local
The loss is a setback for SDSU's NCAA Tournament hopes. They were considered among the last four in or last four byes by various bracketologists ahead of Thursday's loss.
