Upset! BYU Takes Down #18 San Diego State

WHAT. A WIN.

BYU led by as many as 17 points and ended the game the game on a 9-0 run to beat San Diego State 72-62 in Viejas Arena. Brandon Averette’s go-ahead three pointer with 54 seconds left was the dagger that put BYU ahead 66-62.

BYU controlled most of the game, but SDSU forward Matt Mitchell got hot in the second half to tie the game at 61 points with under two minutes left. Mitchell scored 35 points, but was SDSU’s lone player to score in double figures.

BYU’s defense won them this game, holding the Aztecs to 36.8% shooting and winning the rebound battle 40-26. BYU got contributions from all over and were led by Alex Barcello who had 22 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Matt Haarms led BYU with 8 rebounds and chipped in 10 points, and Spencer Johnson and Trevin Knell each had 8 points off the bench. 17 turnovers hurt BYU, but BYU controlled the glass and shot 46% from the field to help offset that.

The importance of this win cannot be overstated. The Aztecs had won 33 of their previous 34 regular season games and had already beat the top two Pac 12 teams this season. This is the type of win that could put BYU in the NCAA tournament come March. The Aztecs will likely be in the top 25 the whole season, and BYU was able to win this game on the road. BYU now has wins over St John’s, Utah, Utah State, and San Diego State — 3 of the 4 wins are away from Provo.

BYU will have a couple days off before they host Texas Southern Monday in the Marriot Center.