Wednesday night’s game was a reminder that San Diego State is still very much alive in the Mountain West title chase. A reminder that when healthy, deep and locked in, the Aztecs can overwhelm almost anyone. And most importantly, a reminder that momentum in college basketball can flip in an instant.
With the help of 20 points from Reese Dixon-Waters and one of their most complete team performances of the season, SDSU beat Utah State 89-72, pulling into a first-place tie with the Aggies with three regular-season games remaining.
“Probably our most complete game of the season and probably our most complete roster of the season,” head coach Brian Dutcher said postgame. “We had everybody healthy and playing … we fought through a tough stretch of two really hard losses and got back on the winning track. Our fate is in our own hands.”
Dixon-Waters sets the tone early
From the opening minutes, Dixon-Waters looked determined to make a statement.
The senior guard scored 15 first-half points, drilling three triples and sparking a decisive stretch that turned a tight contest into a double-digit lead.
“I just feel like I was aggressive from the start,” Dixon-Waters said. “I definitely wanted to set the tone offensively and just be aggressive.”
That aggression translated into rhythm for the entire roster. Taj DeGourville added 12 points and eight assists, while Pharaoh Compton and Tae Simmons chipped in 11 apiece as SDSU showcased the depth that has defined its best performances this season.
The Aztecs’ bench alone contributed 42 points, a crucial factor against a Utah State team known for offensive efficiency.
Health, depth and urgency collide
Getting Magoon Gwath and Elzie Harrington back in the lineup proved to be pivotal. Gwath’s size, rebounding and rim protection added a dimension SDSU lacked during recent losses.
Gwath nearly recorded a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds. Harrington provided stability despite still working back into rhythm, as a handful of possessions and ball-handling got away from him at times.
The return to full strength seemed to ignite a renewed tenacity across the roster — something players acknowledged after two frustrating losses.
“I definitely think we’re back to where we were before with our urgency and our toughness and attention to detail,” Dixon-Waters said. “Today was a good step in the right direction.”
Defense flips the script
Utah State entered the game ranked among the nation’s leaders in field-goal percentage and assists. Early on, it looked like the Aggies might live up to that reputation, hitting three of their first six from beyond the arc.
Then SDSU’s defense tightened.
Switching ball screens, chasing shooters and controlling the glass, the Aztecs held Utah State to just 41.4% shooting overall and limited its three-point attack after the hot start.
“We switched ball screens, stayed extended and contested,” Dutcher said. “They’re going to make some, but I thought we were there when they took them.”
Rebounding told a similar story. After being dominated on the boards in Logan, Utah, earlier this season, SDSU reversed the narrative with a 38-30 advantage on Wednesday.
Energy from the crowd — and within
Viejas Arena fed the momentum as much as any player. “The Show,” SDSU’s student section, created a postseason-like atmosphere, particularly after a physical sequence involving Utah State’s Karson Templin made him a focal point of fan energy.
But energy wasn’t just present among the fans.
Freshman Tae Simmons brought visible intensity off the bench with dunks, hustle plays and crowd interaction; the type of spark teammates said fuels the entire group.
“He brings energy, plays hard, and that’s what we needed tonight,” Dixon-Waters said. “He did a really good job.”
Compton echoed that mentality in simpler terms: “It’s toughness all around. Just knowing that we’re the tougher team — that’s how you win games.”
A race tightening toward March
The victory not only avenged SDSU’s earlier five-point loss in Logan, but also handed Utah State its largest defeat of the season. Both teams now sit at 13-4 in conference play, with New Mexico lurking just behind, playing in Albuquerque on Saturday against the Aztecs.
The margin for error is slim.
Dutcher knows what lies ahead: road games, quick turnarounds and postseason stakes building by the day.
“We have to enjoy this win tonight,” he said, “But tomorrow we have two days to get ready for New Mexico. We’ll play there, and guess what? Then we have two days to get ready for Boise, and then we have two days to get ready for UNLV. So we’re in it now. This is it.”
If last night was any indication, the Aztecs appear ready for that sprint.
The offense is clicking. The roster is healthy. The urgency is back.
And in the unpredictable chaos of Mountain West basketball, that might be exactly what San Diego State needs most.
