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Aztecs Beat Nevada And Are One Win Away From The NCAA Tournament
Nevada eliminated by the Aztecs for the third time in four years
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San Diego State Looking For A Second Straight Mountain West Title
There is something about San Diego State. For the Nevada Wolf Pack, the Aztecs are the puzzle that they just can not figure out. Since joining the Mountain West Nevada is 0-9 against San Diego State when playing outside of Reno. Add to the fact that Nevada was playing without Jordan Caroline, who was out with an Achilles injury, and Caleb Martin hardly played in the first half and you get a recipe for disaster.
San Diego State eliminated Nevada in the semifinals of the Mountain West Tournament for the second straight year, this time by a 65-56 score.
Martin got his second foul before the game was two minutes old, which changed the game dynamic for the Wolf Pack, but regardless they fought hard in the first half. The short-handed Wolf Pack hung around behind the first half performance of the other Martin twin, Cody Martin, and went down just five to an Aztecs team that should have been dominating.
Out of the break, the Aztecs came out firing, taking an 8-0 run behind a couple of Devin Watson three-pointers. But Nevada would not go down easily and after a time out they roared back with their own 20-4 run, taking the first lead since early in the first quarter. In the end though the Wolf Pack offense lost its rhythm and the Aztecs found a way to produce enough points to get a victory.
San Diego State was led by Watson who finished with 20 points. Jalen McDaniels had a double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds), while Matt Mitchell (11) and Jeremy Hemsley (10) also scored in double figures.
Cody Martin finished with 16 points in the game. Tre’Shawn Thurman was the only other Nevada player in double digit scoring with 11 points.
The Aztecs now play tomorrow against the winner of the Utah State-Fresno State game. Nevada is a lock for the NCAA Tournament and will await their seeding on Selection Sunday.
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