San Diego State asserted its dominance over Air Force from the opening tip, building a 19-point halftime lead and never looking back in an 88-54 thrashing at Clune Arena. The Aztecs' victory was fueled by a balanced attack, with BJ Davis pacing the team with 16 points. Miles Heide and Reese Dixon-Waters also chipped in with 13 and 12 points, respectively, as San Diego State improved to 17-6 on the season.
San Diego State's 45-26 Halftime Lead Tied for Largest of the Season
The Falcons, meanwhile, struggled to find their footing against the Aztecs' stifling defense. Kam Sanders led Air Force with 11 points, while Ethan Greenberg also contributed 11 points in the losing effort. Despite their best efforts, the Falcons were unable to overcome the significant deficit, falling to 3-20 on the year.
The game was all but decided by halftime, with San Diego State holding a commanding 45-26 lead. The Aztecs' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Davis and Heide combining for 20 points in the first half. Air Force, on the other hand, struggled to find its rhythm, shooting just 36% from the field in the opening 20 minutes.
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In the second half, San Diego State continued to pour it on, outscoring Air Force 43-28 to seal the 34-point victory. The Aztecs' dominant performance was a reflection of their depth and talent, as they improved to 17-6 on the season. CHD Scout had predicted a 28-point victory for San Diego State, and the Aztecs exceeded those expectations with their convincing win.
The victory has real consequences for San Diego State's tournament resume, as it counts as a Quadrant 4 win. While the Aztecs' net ranking of 44 is already strong, the win over Air Force helps to bolster their case for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. For Air Force, the loss is a Quadrant 2 defeat, but it's unlikely to have a significant impact on the Falcons' postseason hopes, given their current net ranking of 343.
In the end, San Diego State's dominant performance was a statement win for the Aztecs, who continue to assert themselves as one of the top teams in the Mountain West Conference. With the victory, San Diego State takes another step towards solidifying its tournament resume, while Air Force want to regroup and bounce back from the disappointing loss.