The San Diego State Aztecs (1-0) came out and opened their season at home on Wednesday night, defeating UCSD by a score of 63-58. There were a number of bright spots from a relatively new and young team that is continuing to find their identity. 

Byrd’s Career Night Leads SDSU to Victory

Sophomore Miles Byrd led the way in his first career start. Byrd posted a remarkable stat line — 20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals, and 4 blocks — becoming just the second player in NCAA Division I over the last decade to record those numbers in a game. His performance was a key factor in SDSU’s victory, as the Aztecs held off a determined Tritons squad to extend their dominance in the series.

Byrd’s all-around excellence was especially evident in the second half. After UCSD briefly reclaimed the lead early in the period, Byrd took over, scoring 6 straight points to ignite a 13-2 run that gave SDSU a commanding lead with just under 9 minutes left. The Aztecs would have the advantage, limiting them to just 58 points on 33% shooting from the field.

Dominance on Both Sides Secured the Win

SDSU’s defense was the backbone of the win. After a sluggish start where the Aztecs shot just 18% in the opening minutes, they ramped up the intensity. UCSD went cold for over eight minutes during a 10-0 SDSU run that helped them pull ahead in the first half. Though the Tritons closed the gap to just 24-22 at the break and briefly took the lead early in the second half, they struggled to maintain consistency against San Diego State’s defense. The Aztecs have now won 21 straight games when holding opponents to between 50 and 59 points, reinforcing their reputation as one of the nation’s premier defensive teams under head coach Brian Dutcher.

In addition to Byrd’s standout performance, SDSU got solid contributions from its starting backcourt. Nick Boyd and BJ Davis each scored 11 points in their first career starts, while forward Jared Coleman-Jones added 9 points and 9 rebounds. Despite UCSD’s Tyler McGhie leading all scorers with 21 points, the Tritons could not overcome SDSU’s balanced offense and suffocating defense.

 SDSU Extends Impressive Streaks

This win was also significant in extending several of San Diego State’s impressive streaks. The Aztecs have now won 14 consecutive games against UC San Diego, including 13 straight at home. It also marked the 18th consecutive win in home openers against unranked opponents. Under Dutcher, SDSU is now 160-12 when leading with 5 minutes to go in the game, showcasing their ability to close out contests under pressure.

Looking ahead, SDSU will look to build on this season-opening win when they host Occidental College on November 12, as they continue to build for another strong season.

Photo Courtesy Credit: Leo Taghert