San Diego State Defeats Colorado State 71-62 in Mountain West Quarterfinal

The Aztecs advance to the semifinals of the conference tournament in Las Vegas

Mar. 13, 2026 at 6:19am

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The San Diego State Aztecs defeated the Colorado State Rams 71-62 in a quarterfinal game of the Mountain West Championships Tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on March 12, 2026. The Aztecs were led by strong performances from guards Miles Byrd and Sean Newman Jr. as they moved on to the semifinal round of the conference tournament.

Why it matters

The Mountain West Conference tournament is a key event for teams looking to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. San Diego State's victory over Colorado State keeps their hopes alive for a conference championship and potential March Madness berth.

The details

The Aztecs were able to pull away in the second half, outscoring the Rams 41-32 over the final 20 minutes. Miles Byrd had a strong all-around game for San Diego State, scoring 18 points and making several key plays down the stretch. Teammate Sean Newman Jr. also contributed 14 points to the winning effort.

  • The game was played on March 12, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  • It was a quarterfinal matchup in the Mountain West Championships Tournament.

The players

Miles Byrd

A guard for the San Diego State Aztecs who scored 18 points in the victory.

Sean Newman Jr.

A guard for the San Diego State Aztecs who scored 14 points in the win.

Brian Dutcher

The head coach of the San Diego State Aztecs.

Kyle Jorgensen

A forward for the Colorado State Rams who had a key block in the game.

Magoon Gwath

A forward for the San Diego State Aztecs who provided energy off the bench.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to play with that same intensity and focus as we move forward in the tournament.”

— Brian Dutcher, Head Coach, San Diego State Aztecs (The Sporting Tribune)

What’s next

The Aztecs will advance to the semifinal round of the Mountain West Championships Tournament, where they will face the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between Boise State and UNLV.

The takeaway

San Diego State's victory over Colorado State keeps their hopes alive for a conference championship and potential NCAA Tournament berth, demonstrating the Aztecs' ability to win tough games against quality opponents in the postseason.