Aztecs Hold Off Nevada, Stay in Mountain West Title Chase

San Diego State defeats conference rival Nevada to maintain position atop the standings.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The San Diego State Aztecs defeated the Nevada Wolf Pack 71-57 in a crucial Mountain West Conference matchup. Star center Magoon Gwath returned to the lineup after missing six games, providing an immediate impact with 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 blocks in just 14 minutes of play. BJ Davis and Reese Dixon-Waters also had strong performances, scoring 14 and 20 points respectively to help the Aztecs secure the victory and complete the season sweep of Nevada.

Why it matters

The win keeps San Diego State in the hunt for the Mountain West regular season title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. However, the Aztecs' tendency to allow opponents to erase large leads remains a concern that could prove costly against tougher competition down the stretch.

The details

The Aztecs built a 16-point lead in the first half but allowed Nevada to tie the game early in the second half. SDSU was able to regain control and pull away for the victory, but the pattern of blowing big leads is an issue that Head Coach Brian Dutcher wants to address. With six straight conference games upcoming, including a matchup against current conference leader Utah State, the Aztecs will need to play with more consistency to achieve their postseason goals.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
  • The Aztecs' next game is on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 against Grand Canyon University.

The players

Magoon Gwath

The star center for the San Diego State Aztecs, who returned to the lineup after missing six games and provided an immediate impact with 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 blocks in just 14 minutes of play.

BJ Davis

A key scorer for the Aztecs, finishing the game with 14 points.

Reese Dixon-Waters

The leading scorer for the Aztecs, finishing the game with 20 points to help seal the victory.

Brian Dutcher

The head coach of the San Diego State Aztecs, who is pleased to have Gwath back in the lineup and is working to address the team's tendency to blow large leads.

Miles Byrd

A San Diego State player who helped hype up the crowd during a big play against Nevada.

Tae Simmons

A San Diego State player who helped hype up the crowd during a big play against Nevada.

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What they’re saying

“It's great having him back. Hopefully, he continues to enjoy good health and plays himself back into game shape where he can play lots of minutes for us.”

— Brian Dutcher, Head Coach (The Daily Aztec)

“We had a 20-point lead and kind of let it go away. So I think that's the biggest thing (that needs to improve), just holding our lead and just playing like the team we are.”

— Reese Dixon-Waters (The Daily Aztec)

What’s next

The Aztecs now face arguably their most challenging stretch of the season, with six straight conference games on deck. The toughest test may come when they host the current conference leader, Utah State. With the regular season title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament at stake, it's likely SDSU will need to win out to finish atop the Mountain West standings.

The takeaway

This game highlights the Aztecs' talent and depth, but also their ongoing struggle to maintain focus and composure once they've built a significant lead. If San Diego State hopes to accomplish their postseason goals, they'll need to pair their skill with greater consistency, especially as they face a daunting upcoming schedule in their pursuit of the Mountain West title.