San Diego State Avoids The Upset Against Colorado State

The Mountain West tournament got off to a good start and if you were one of the many unproductive people able to watch the New Mexico and San Diego State games then you were one of the lucky ones. The Aztecs kept their NCAA tournament hopes alive with a 72-71 win over Colorado State. D.J. Gay made two free throws with 23 seconds left to give the Aztecs the one point lead that would stand for the rest of the game. This game was tight the whole way as the largest lead was ten by San Diego State and seven by Colorado State.

San Diego State is the more athletic team but they were settling for three point shots -- where they went one of ten -- instead of driving to the basketball to get to the line. When San Diego State did attack the hoop that is when they had their most success as they were 17-28.

The game had three big plays that changed the outcome. The first was the ejection of Colorado States best player in Andy Ogide after an offensive foul. The second was a Billy White basket as the shot clock expired with 2:47 left in the game when DJ Gay threw it up to White who made a great catch and shoot to give the Aztecs a four point lead. The last big play was a Dorian Green turnover with 6.7 seconds who had a chance to win the game with the Rams down one.

This win by the Aztecs put them closer to assuring themselves an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament team,but a win over top seeded New Mexico will make the Aztecs a lock.

Click here for the complete tournament schedule.