D.J. Gay’s 20 points, no turnovers steer No. 6 Aztecs past Rebels

Just more than three minutes remained. UNLV had rallied from 10 points down to lead San Diego State 55-54, and the sellout crowd of 18,557 at the Thomas & Mack Center was making plenty of noise.

Aztecs point guard D.J. Gay surveyed the scene Saturday and did what the best basketball player on the floor is supposed to do: He took charge.

Gay, who scored 20 points in 40 turnover-free minutes, kept the No. 6 Aztecs together down the stretch in their 63-57 Mountain West Conference win. Despite playing on a gimpy right ankle, spraining it in the first half, he was San Diego State's glue when it mattered most.

When the Rebels forced him to give up the ball, he found the right teammates, who, upon getting fouled, knocked down their free throws.

It's why the Aztecs (25-1, 10-1), despite managing just two field goals in the final 12 minutes, found a way to win a game they probably had no business winning.

"I always love games like this," said Gay, who made a statement during last year's conference tournament with his stellar play that helped San Diego State cut down the nets. "Having the ball in my hands with the game on the line is what I live for."

Gay shot 6 of 12 from the floor and 8 of 9 from the foul line. He converted two free throws with 1:03 left that broke a 57-57 tie, giving the Aztecs a lead they didn't relinquish.

"We found a way to stay together, and we defended well even though we couldn't make shots," Gay said. "We're a veteran team, and we responded the way a senior team should."

San Diego State coach Steve Fisher said it helps to have an experienced point guard when things get tight.

"He's such a great competitor," Fisher said. "He's a four-year starter, and he knows how to play, and he doesn't get rattled. He makes plays that help you win."

Some of those plays included displaying a high basketball IQ. In several instances, Gay found himself open on the perimeter early in a possession and, instead of jacking up a 3-pointer, would maintain control of the ball, find an open teammate and run clock. He understood that poor shot selection could trigger a run by the Rebels and reignite the crowd.

That UNLV (18-7, 6-5) was unable to force Gay into turning it over also was a big factor in San Diego State leaving Las Vegas with its fourth straight win over UNLV and seventh in the Aztecs' past eight meetings with the Rebels.

"There were times when it seemed nobody was open," Gay said. "But I try not to panic, and there were some gaps in the floor I was able to use."

Gay has played 158 consecutive minutes without a turnover, and despite his teammates committing 14 miscues against UNLV's defense, it was his number -- zero -- that proved decisive.

"He's so tough," Aztecs sophomore forward Kawhi Leonard said. "He stays poised. Nothing bothers him, and we feed off him. He's pretty much seen everything."

Including how to break UNLV's pressure. The Rebels tried running two people at Gay for a good portion of Saturday's game, but he never wavered in his ability to value the ball.

"I did a lot of research and watched a lot of film," Gay said. "I was prepared for what they were going to do."

That's what the best player on the floor is expected to say. And do.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.