SAN DIEGO — Whether it’s at altitude or sea level, the San Diego State Aztecs just can’t stop Jimmer Fredette.
The star guard had 25 points and nine assists as No. 7 BYU spoiled the biggest game in No. 6 San Diego State’s history, running away with an 80-67 victory Saturday.
As the final buzzer sounded, a fired-up Fredette threw the ball into the air and celebrated with his teammates just a few feet from SDSU’s student section. It was the first home loss in 14 games this season for the Aztecs, who also lost by 13 to BYU at Provo, Utah, a month ago.
“We were just really, really excited to win this game,” Fredette said. “It’s a huge game. Everyone was picking San Diego State to win, and I thought our team did a great job of just making shots and getting rebounds, getting loose balls, doing things that we needed to do.”
The Cougars swept the regular-season series against the Aztecs for the third straight year and took a one-game lead in the conference. SDSU’s second loss came in one of the most eagerly anticipated games in this city’s history. The Aztecs’ only win against BYU in the last three seasons was in the MWC tournament semifinals two seasons ago.
The teams could meet again in the conference tournament championship game, which determines the league’s automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. Both teams are expecting high seeds in the NCAAs.
“I told our team, ‘BYU is Final Four good,’ ” SDSU coach Steve Fisher said. “And I don’t know that our guys liked to hear that. And then I said, ‘We are too.’ Today, they were the better team. No excuses. They made plays. They made shots.”
New Mexico 80, TCU 70
FORT WORTH, Texas — Dairese Gary had 32 points and nine assists as New Mexico snapped a four-game losing streak.
TCU has lost 12 straight.
