San Diego State's NCAA Tournament hopes take hit with home loss to Grand Canyon

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The San Diego State Aztecs suffered a 73-63 home loss to the Grand Canyon Antelopes, a Quad 3 defeat that further damages the Aztecs' NCAA Tournament hopes. The loss drops SDSU out of a first-place tie in the Mountain West Conference and puts their at-large bid in jeopardy, as they may now need to win the conference tournament to make the Big Dance in their final season in the league before moving to the Pac-12.

Why it matters

The Aztecs were hoping to get revenge against Grand Canyon, who had previously handed them their first conference loss of the season. This loss to the newcomer Lopes program is a major setback for SDSU, as they now have limited opportunities to improve their NCAA Tournament resume with just five regular season games remaining.

The details

Jaden Henley scored 21 points to lead Grand Canyon to the victory, as the Antelopes overwhelmed SDSU in the second half after the Aztecs led 33-29 at halftime. Miles Byrd was the only Aztec in double figures with 18 points, as SDSU shot just 35.5% from the field. The loss also dropped the Aztecs out of a first-place tie in the Mountain West, with Utah State now able to take a one-game lead in the standings.

• On Jan. 21 in Phoenix, GCU handed the Aztecs their first conference loss and snapped their seven-game winning streak with a 70-69 victory.
• The Lopes were admitted to the Mountain West last summer, a year earlier than planned, coinciding with the final MW season for SDSU and four other schools before they move into the Pac-12.

What’s next

The Aztecs have five games left in the regular season, including three Quad 1 opportunities. But the way this season has unfolded, the Aztecs can't count on an at-large bid. That means the only way into March Madness would be to claim the automatic berth that comes with winning the MW tournament.