PROVO, Utah – BYU basketball falls to San Diego State, 82-75. The Cougars were a significant underdog in that game, but had a 10-point lead in the second half.
Final: @Aztec_MBB 82, @BYUMBB 75.#BYU falls to 1-1 on the season.#BYUHoops #GoCougs
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 12, 2022
San Diego State was not going to fall easily as they then raced 40-23 to come away with the win.
hard loss for #BYU. They had their moments to earn an unlikely victory in Quad 1. 20 turnovers sunk BYU.#BYUHoops @kslsports
—Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022
BYU basketball is down to 1-1 this season and will return to action next week against Missouri State in Provo on Nov. 16.
BYU/SDSU Summary
Here’s a breakdown of what happened in BYU’s loss to San Diego State.
Starting lineups
BYU (1-1)
- G – Rudi Williams, 6-3, Sr. (Carolina Coast transfer)
- G – Spencer Johnson, 6-5, Jr.
- G – Jaxson Robinson, 6-7, Soph. (Arkansas Transfer)
- F – Gideon George, 6-6, Sr.
- C – Foussyeni Traoré, 6-6, Soph.
No. 19 San Diego State (2-0)
- G – Darrion Trammell, 5-10, Sr. (Seattle U transfer)
- G – Lamont Butler, 6-2, Jr.
- F – Matt Bradley, 6-4, Sr.
- F – Keshad Johnson, 6-7, Sr.
- C – Nathan Mensah, 6-10, Sr.
BYU basketball gets off to a solid first half
- 6:11 p.m. – BYU gets off to a strong start as Fousseyni Traore comes up with a strong layup. BYU 4, SDSU 2
- 5:46 p.m. – BYU brings some tempo on a three-pointer made for SDSU. Gideon George attacks the basket and draws a chance and a. BYU 7, SDSU 5
What a start for #BYU. Up to 14-7. On a 7-0 run against the Aztecs. #BYUHoops
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022
- 4:09 p.m. – BYU comes out on a 7-0 run as Rudi Williams causes a steal that leads to a dunk, then Jaxson Robinson buries a three. BYU 14, SDSU 7
Kind of like Boise State brings out the best in the #BYU football team, SDSU do it for #BYU basketball.
There’s plenty of time left in this one, but an impressive start for #BYU. Shooting 88% from the field and having forced four Aztec turnovers.#BYUHoops
—Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022
- 3:37 p.m. — In the first media timeout, BYU basketball is shooting 88 percent from the field and they have six points on four Aztec turnovers. BYU 16, SDSU 8
#BYU the offense seems alive and well in the opening moments against SDSU.
14 points in the first 4 minutes.
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) November 12, 2022
- 2:36 PM – BYU forward Noah Waterman came off the bench and, within two seconds, was called for two fouls. BYU 18, SDSU 8
Noah Waterman has just received two fouls in two seconds on the floor. You don’t see this often.
—Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022
- 1:02 p.m. – San Diego State’s Micah Parrish knocks down three free throws after being fouled by Trey Stewart. The Aztecs are an 8-0 run. BYU 18, SDSU 16
- 11:55 a.m. – The Aztecs are now a 10-0 run. Entering the match, Mark Pope preached to his team that they had to “break the glass”. BYU’s second unit, without Fousseyni Traoré, is struggling in this department. SDSU has an early 7-3 edge on the boards. BYU 18, SDSU 18
Great environment for @Aztec_MBB @BYUMBB in Viejas: pic.twitter.com/wfoP1x4pHT
—Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) November 12, 2022
- NCAA.com’s Andy Katz shared a video of the atmosphere at Viejas Arena for BYU/San Diego State. Katz has a history spanning the old WAC from his days as a beat writer covering New Mexico.
- 11:46 a.m. — BYU freshman Richie Saunders ends a 12-0 Aztec run with a corner three. The Cougs are 2 for 2 early going beyond the arc. BYU 21, SDSU 20
- 7:58 a.m. – Offensive fireworks slowed down a bit as SDSU didn’t score a basket in 4:28 of action. Rudi Williams fills the stat sheet with seven points on a perfect 3 of 3 from the field, to go with three steals and two rebounds. On the other hand, he already has four turnovers. BYU 26, SDSU 22
Someone gives Bill Walton a headset to give color commentary. He’s at Viejas Arena, with ESPN’s Jay Bilas and Seth Greenberg. #BYU #BYUHoops
—Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022
- The Mountain West Network show showed Bill Walton with ESPN’s Jay Bilas and Seth Greenberg. Bilas was on call for the Gonzaga-Michigan State game earlier in the evening on the USS Abraham Lincoln.
- 5:36 – BYU passes the Aztecs, 12-11. BYU 30, SDSU 26
- 4:34 – Trey Stewart gets a clean pass from Rudi Williams and the second confidently buries a three. He is one of the most improved shooters in the program this season. BYU 34, SDSU 28
- 2:41 – Moments before the media timeout, Rudi Williams made a wide open three-point attempt. You don’t get many open looks against the Aztec defense. Just a little for the star grad transfer. BYU 36, SDSU 32
What an Atiki Ally Atiki take on this entry pass.
—Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022
- 2:20 – Spencer Johnson’s story continues to grow. Johnson buries a clutch three to give BYU some separation. BYU 39, SDSU 33
- 43.9 — San Diego State’s student chapter, “The Show,” didn’t have much to cheer for their team. So now it becomes “ref you suck” chants. It should be noted that at this point, BYU has been called up for 13 fouls against the Aztecs 10. BYU 40, SDSU 34
- 4.3 – BYU’s Mark Pope calls a 30-second timeout to set up the final game of the first half. The game resulted in a turnover of Trey Stewart with no field goal attempt. One thing that was interesting in the final game, everyone on BYU lined up on the baseline and then ran out onto the field when the whistle sounded. I had flashbacks of when BYU football players lined up in a three-point position to run down the field back in the Bronco days.
Excellent first half #BYU. To be up four against one of the most physical teams in the West, while committing 11 turnovers, solid 20 minutes behind Mark Pope’s team.#BYUHoops https://t.co/CaDYeJOIlq
—Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022
- Half: BYU 40, SDSU 36
Notable stats at halftime
BYU basketball leads by four despite 11 turnovers. San Diego State scored eight of BYU’s 11 turnovers. Meanwhile, BYU scored seven points on the Aztecs’ eight turnovers.
#BYU must find an answer to stop the TCU transfer Jaedon LeDee. The 6-foot-9 Aztec tall man scored 16 points in 13 minutes.
Five #BYU players scored five or more points in the first half. Fouss leads the dance with 8 points.#BYUHoops
—Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022
Five BYU players scored five or more points, with Fousseyni Traore leading with eight points.
BYU has no answer for TCU Jaedon LeDee transfer. He scored 16 points in the first half in just 13 minutes of action.
San Diego State retires in the second half
- 6:20 p.m. — San Diego State standout Matt Bradley scored his two field goals of the game within 12 seconds of each other. The Viejas Arena crowd starts to get louder. BYU 42, SDSU 40
- 6:03 p.m. – A clutch three-pointer from Gideon George keeps the Viejas crowd quiet. BYU 45, SDSU 40
Gideon George’s three straight points keep the Viejas crowd quiet.#BYU #BYUHoops
—Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022
- 4:40 p.m. – Back-to-back trio for Gideon. BYU 50, SDSU 42
- 3:51 p.m. – First media timeout of the second half, and BYU basketball creates a split with the Aztecs. The outsider begins to believe it.
- 15:47 – A Fouss Traoré lay-up brings BYU back to their 10 lead. BYU 52, SDSU 42
- 2:30 p.m. — San Diego State got four quick runs, then BYU missed their end of the field. A stoppage of play then took place because Spencer Johnson had a bloody nose. BYU 52, SDSU 46
- 1:31 p.m. – The momentum begins to swing in favor of the Aztecs. BYU has committed 15 turnovers as a team. BYU 52, SDSU 48
- 12:22 p.m. – Rudi Williams’ tough layup to end San Diego State’s run. But then Darrion Trammell hits a midrange bucket from the corner. BYU 54, SDSU 52
#BYUThe starting five all have a positive/less positive so far tonight. The bench? Everything in the negative.
—Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022
- 11:45 a.m. – BYU has missed its last five three-point attempts. They must find their shot if they want to pull off the surprise on Montezuma Mesa.
- 11:37 a.m. — Spencer Johnson gets an offensive rebound on a Jaxson Robinson miss from beyond the arc. BYU 56, SDSU 52
- 10:29 – Micah Parrish makes two of three free throws to tie the game. BYU 56, SDSU 56
- 9:28 – Dallin Hall hits a big jumper, his first field goal of the night. BYU 58, SDSU 56
San Diego State spent a lot of time on the foul line in the second half. #BYU cannot continue to foul and expect to win.
— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) November 12, 2022
- 8:23 a.m. – Fouss Traoré commits his fourth foul. Mark Pope turns to Noah Waterman from the bench. BYU 60, SDSU 59
- 8:23 – On a missed free throw, San Diego State arrives with the board and takes its first lead of the game. SDSU 61, BYU 60
Spencer Johnson continues to be one of the best stories about it #BYU crew. Knocks down a huge one to put BYU back on top, just seconds after SDSU took their first lead of the game.#BYUHoops
—Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022
- 7:58 – Spencer Johnson buries a three to put BYU back on top. BYU 63, SDSU 61
- 7:14 a.m. — Spencer Johnson. Still. He gets the rebound to fall on his shot that went off the edge. BYU 65, SDSU 61
- 6:50 – Johnson offers a baseline jumper. BYU is on a 7-0 run. BYU 67, SDSU 61
Spencer Johnson is money right now for @BYUMBB. 💰 💵 #BYU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/5iEJhUDh9g
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 12, 2022
- 3:45 a.m. — San Diego State takes its biggest lead of the game after Lamont Butler flexes on a layup made to put the Aztecs up three. SDSU 71, BYU 68
- SDSU’s Jaedon LeDee has a career-high 21 points.
Fouss and Jaxson Robinson return for the home straight with four faults.
SDSU’s Jaedon LeDee has been a terror since #BYU All night long. He has a career high 21 points.#BYUHoops
—Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022
- 3:29 – Rudi Williams commits his eighth turnover of the night on an inbound play. Nathan Mensah arrives with steam. SDSU 71, BYU 68
- 2:28 – Fousseyni Traore looked like he had an open dunk, but Nathan Mensah closed the gap and came in with a block. A lot of contact on the game, but no whistle from the referees. Mensah was on the ground after the game. SDSU 73, BYU 70
- 1:49 – The Aztecs have taken a six-point lead, but who else? Spencer Johnson hits three more. SDSU 76, BYU 73
- 1:23 – Rudi Williams misses a pair of free throws. The former Coastal Carolina Chanticleer is a career 73.5% free throw shooter. SDSU 76, BYU 73
- 36.8 — San Diego State leads by three possessions. SDSU 80, BYU 73
- FINAL: San Diego State 82, BYU 75
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.