SDSU, UCSD, After Sluggish Half, Trade Leads Before Aztecs Surge for Win

In a season-opening match of cross-town rivals, Miles Byrd scored 20 points Wednesday as San Diego State beat UC San Diego 63-58 at Viejas Arena.

Byrd also contributed eight rebounds, five steals and four blocks before a Viejas crowd of 12,414. In his first career start, the sophomore recorded career highs in points, field goals, three-pointers, steals while matching his career high in blocks.

BJ Davis and Nicholas Boyd, also each making their first starts, finished with 11 points. Jared Coleman-Jones had nine, along with nine rebounds.

Triton Tyler McGhie, who finished with 21 points, with five three pointers, led all scorers. UCSD also had 13 points from Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones – five of them from the line – and nine from Chris Howell.

.@_mbyrd21 slams it home for 20

???? Mountain West Network pic.twitter.com/6iCtNuD8Px— San Diego State Men's Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) November 7, 2024

Neither team was particularly crisp early – the Aztecs shot 32% on field goals in the opening half and the Tritons fared even worse, at 18%. Each side tightened things up after the break, with SDSU shooting 59% and UCSD 50%.

Byrd put up eight points in a slow first half for SDSU, which barely led, 24-22, at the half after a 10-3 run by UCSD.

The Tritons carried their momentum into the second half, claiming the lead within the first two minutes, but the Aztecs answered with eight straight points. UCSD quickly responded with seven straight, taking the lead right back.

But with just under nine minutes left, Byrd took over and made three field goals, sparking a 13-2 run. SDSU reclaimed the lead with 5:26 left and never looked back.

Tyler McGhie buries his fourth three & we're all tied up!#GoTritons pic.twitter.com/oH6a1voh8G— UC San Diego Men’s Hoops (@UCSDmbb) November 7, 2024

“I know not everybody in the building expected us to play well, but we expect to have success when we take the floor,” UCSD head coach Eric Olen said.

UCSD pressed San Diego State last year too. Jaedon LeDee, with two seconds left and his team trailing by one, grabbed a rebound and nailed the shot for the win.

The Tritons, after their transition to the Big West, have completed the NCAA-mandated four-year reclassification, and are now eligible for conference and NCAA championship slots. They host their home opener at LionTree Arena Saturday against Pepperdine in a game airing on ESPN+. 

The Aztecs return on Tuesday, hosting Occidental College. The game will be streamed live on Yurview and the Mountain West Network.

.@bj10k_ fighting for points in the paint.

???? Mountain West Network pic.twitter.com/1LBRkgGvkc— San Diego State Men's Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) November 7, 2024