San Diego State edges Utah State in MWC quarters, 71-65

ASSOCIATED PRESS

9 years ago

Utah State’s Quinn Taylor (22) shoots against San Diego State’s Winston Shepard (13) and Skylar Spencer (0) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Mountain West Conference men’s tournament Thursday, March 10, 2016, in Las Vegas. San Diego State won 71-65. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Trey Kell scored 17 points, Malik Pope added 15 and top-seeded San Diego State held off Utah State 71-65 in the Mountain West Conference quarterfinals on Thursday at Thomas & Mack Center.

The Aztecs (24-8) made 7 of 8 free throws in the final 5.8 seconds to beat the ninth-seeded Aggies (16-15) and advance to the semifinals against the Nevada-New Mexico winner.

Winston Shepard’s free throw with 10.3 seconds left put San Diego State on top 64-61 but when he missed the second, the Aztecs decided to foul the Aggies before they could shoot a 3.

The teams traded free throws until Utah State got called for an intentional foul with 3.8 seconds to play, which allowed the Aztecs to make it a two-possession game.

Both teams were 19 of 30 from the foul line, with 11 makes in the second half — but SDSU was 11 of 15, Utah State 11 of 19.

Lew Evans had 15 points and Jalen Moore 14 for the Aggies.