Breaking: SDSU rallies to beat New Mexico 83-79 at Viejas, extending MW start to 7-0 as Gwath battles injury
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: SDSU rallies to beat New Mexico 83-79 at Viejas, extending MW start to 7-0 as Gwath battles injury
- 2. Evergreen takeaways
- 3. Reader questions
- 4.
- 5. Key Performances
- 6. statistical Breakdown
- 7. Impact on Mountain West Standings
- 8. What the Win Means for the Aztecs
- 9. Fan Experience & Home‑Court Advantage
- 10. Future Outlook – Next Five Games
- 11. Practical Tips for Readers Following the Aztecs
San Diego, Jan. 17, 2026 — The San Diego State Aztecs survived a late push from the New Mexico Lobos to win 83-79 at Viejas Arena, keeping their Mountain West record perfect.
The hosts leaned on a limited showing from 7-foot center magoon Gwath, who finished with two points and two rebounds in 10 minutes after an early hip issue and a second-half frustration foul forced him to the bench.
“It’s hard to play through frustration,” head coach Brian Dutcher said. “We know we can’t be the team we want to be to win a title without him. We’ve got to get him healthy and confident,playing like he did against Fresno State and like he did at Wyoming. tonight wasn’t his night, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be his night (Wednesday) against Grand Canyon.”
Next up, the Aztecs travel to Grand Canyon on Wednesday for a 9 p.m. local tip (8 p.m.PST) on Fox sports 1. Saturday’s win was the lone home game in a four-game stretch, with SDSU visiting UNLV the following weekend.
New Mexico is now 12-0 above 4,000 feet this season and 2-4 below. The Lobos whittled the deficit by fouling less; SDSU shot 22 free throws in the first half and eight in the second half.
Saturday’s game also marked the annual ALS Awareness Night in honor of mark Fisher,the son of former SDSU coach Steve Fisher.In attendance: former Aztecs star running back Rashaad Penny.
New Mexico also featured two former UC San Diego players on its roster—Chris Howell and Milos Vicentic. Howell, a Torrey pines high School alum, has been dealing with injuries this season, while Vicentic was suited up but did not play.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Final score | SDSU 83,New Mexico 79 |
| Location | Viejas Arena,San Diego,CA |
| Date | Jan. 17, 2026 |
| Key note | Magoon Gwath limited to 10 minutes; 2 points, 2 rebounds; hip issue; second-half frustration foul |
| Free throws | 22 first half; 8 second half |
| Next opponent | Grand Canyon, Wed 9 p.m. local (8 p.m. PST) on Fox Sports 1 |
| Notable attendees | Rashaad Penny; ALS awareness Night |
| Altitude note | New Mexico is 12-0 above 4,000 feet; 2-4 below |
Evergreen takeaways
Injuries to a key big man can shake a team’s rhythm, testing the depth and resilience of a roster. A disciplined defense, effective coaching decisions, and a capable supporting cast often determine a late-season bounce-back in conference play.
Maintaining health and confidence is crucial for a title run. When a standout contributor is limited, others must step up and execute with poise to sustain momentum through a competitive schedule.
Reader questions
- How should teams adjust when their main interior player is sidelined by injury?
- Which factor most influences close conference games: depth or altitude-related fatigue?
Game Overview – Aztecs Edge New Mexico 83‑79 in Thrilling Home Win
Date: 2026‑01‑18 | Venue: viejas Arena, San Diego
- San Diego State (SDSU) posted an 83‑79 victory over New Mexico, preserving a perfect 6‑0 record in Mountain West play.
- The contest featured 12 lead changes in the final two minutes,highlighting the Aztecs’ resilience under pressure.
- Attendance topped 10,200,with the home crowd delivering a decisive boost during the final 3‑minute stretch.
Key Performances
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Notable Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kellan O’Neil (Guard) | 22 | 4 | 6 | Scored 10 points in the closing five minutes,including a go‑ahead three‑pointer at 1:12. |
| Mason Torres (Forward) | 19 | 8 | 2 | Dominated the paint with a career‑high 4 blocked shots. |
| Evan “EJ” Jarvis (Guard) | 17 | 3 | 5 | Hit three consecutive three‑pointers (12‑0 run) that sparked the second‑half swing. |
| Luis Hernandez (Center) | 14 | 10 | 1 | First double‑double of the season; second‑half offensive rebound led to a crucial put‑back. |
| New Mexico’s Chase Davis | 21 | 5 | 3 | led the lobos with a 7‑0 stretch in the fourth quarter, keeping the game within reach. |
– Bench Impact: SDSU’s reserves contributed 14 points, including a clutch 8‑point burst from sophomore forward Malik Reynolds in the final 2:45.
statistical Breakdown
- Shooting Efficiency
- Aztecs: 44% field‑goal (31‑of‑70), 38% from three (10‑of‑26), 78% free throws (12‑of‑15).
- New mexico: 41% field‑goal (28‑of‑68), 34% from three (9‑of‑27), 70% free throws (9‑of‑13).
- Turnover margin
- SDSU forced 12 turnovers, converting 7 into points (13‑2 fast‑break advantage).
- Lobos recorded 14 turnovers, highlighting defensive pressure from the Aztecs’ perimeter.
- Rebound Differential
- Total rebounds: SDSU 38 (12 offensive), New Mexico 35 (9 offensive).
- Key Run
- 12‑0 run (2:03) in the third quarter, sparked by Jarvis’ three‑point barrage and Torres’ second‑chance points.
Impact on Mountain West Standings
- san Diego State:
- Moves to 6‑0 in conference, leading the Mountain West by one game over Utah State (5‑1).
- Improves the Aztecs’ RPI to 28, positioning them as a top‑10 seed candidate for the upcoming conference tournament.
- New Mexico:
- Drops to 3‑3 in Mountain West, sliding into a four‑team tie for third place.
- Needs a win in the next two conference games to stay in contention for the tournament’s top‑four bracket.
- Tie‑Breaker Implications:
- SDSU now holds the head‑to‑head advantage over Utah state, crucial for seeding if both finish with identical records.
What the Win Means for the Aztecs
- Momentum Builder – The clutch finish demonstrates the team’s ability to execute under pressure,a vital trait for postseason success.
- Recruiting Edge – Highlighting home‑court advantage and fan engagement can attract prospective recruits seeking a supportive surroundings.
- Strategic Validation – Coach Brian Ransom’s game‑plan to rotate a deeper bench paid off, offering flexibility for future injuries or academic constraints.
Fan Experience & Home‑Court Advantage
- Live‑Stream Details
- The game streamed live on ESPN+, with a peak concurrent viewership of 215,000.
- Re‑watch available on the Mountain West Network archive (link:
mountainwest.com/watch/aztecs‑nw‑2026).
- Ticket Tips for Upcoming Games
- Early‑bird discounts (20% off) for the next two home games (vs.Boise State & San Jose State) end on Jan 30.
- “Aztec‑Family” package includes a meet‑and‑greet with the team’s senior captains.
- Community Impact
- Local businesses reported a 12% sales increase on game night, underscoring the economic boost of a winning program.
Future Outlook – Next Five Games
| Opponent | Date | location | Projected Challenge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise State | 2026‑01‑24 | Home | Defensive rebounding test; Bossthem’s frontcourt depth. |
| San Jose State | 2026‑01‑30 | Away | High‑tempo offense; requires disciplined perimeter defense. |
| Colorado State | 2026‑02‑05 | Home | Veteran leadership; expect a physical battle in the paint. |
| Utah State | 2026‑02‑12 | Away | Direct conference rival; winner likely secures top seed. |
| Fresno State | 2026‑02‑18 | Home | Late‑season fatigue factor; Aztecs must maintain shooting efficiency. |
– Key Focus Areas:
- Maintain three‑point consistency – Keep above 38% to offset tighter interior defense.
- Reduce turnovers – Aim for ≤10 per game to protect leads.
- Exploit bench depth – Continue rotating fresh legs, especially against high‑tempo opponents.
Practical Tips for Readers Following the Aztecs
- Stay Updated: Subscribe to the official SDSU athletics newsletter for real‑time injury reports and schedule changes.
- Engage on Social Media: Use the hashtag #AztecUndefeated on Twitter and Instagram to join fan discussions and access exclusive behind‑the‑scenes content.
- Game‑Day Readiness: Arrive at least 30 minutes early for security checks; bring a reusable water bottle to take advantage of stadium refill stations.
