No. 23 San Diego State continued its impressive momentum by defeating California 71-50 at San Jose, California, on December 23, 2024. This victory marks the Aztecs' fifth consecutive win, highlighting their resurgence as they approach the midpoint of the season.
The game saw Nick Boyd recover from a challenging start. After shooting poorly and missing all six of his attempts in the first half, Boyd came alive after the break, scoring all 17 of his points to lead San Diego State. His impressive turnaround featured two 3-pointers within the first minute of the second half, giving the Aztecs the spark they needed.
Alongside Boyd, BJ Davis and Miles Byrd each contributed with 12 points, demonstrating the depth of the San Diego State roster. On the opposite end, California struggled significantly throughout the match, finishing with just 25.5% shooting from the field. This defeat adds to the Golden Bears' woes, as they remain without victory against ranked teams for their last 19 meetings.
Despite starting with frustration, where the Bears missed 16 successive shots, the Aztecs were not immune to difficulties either. They initially missed 11 of their first 12 attempts, creating tension as neither team could find their rhythm. It wasn't until Byrd finally connected on a 3-pointer late in the first half to break the teams' collective scoreless streak from beyond the arc, making it 21 consecutive misses between both squads.
San Diego State's breakthrough came when they surged to a 16-1 run late in the first half, establishing control over the game. By turning the tide after halftime, the Aztecs were able to showcase their effective shooting, hitting 8 of their 15 3-point attempts during the second half, which proved pivotal.
California, who had been averaging over 80 points per game for six consecutive matches, faced significant adversity as the Aztecs' defense stymied their offensive efforts. Jeremiah Wilkinson did manage to score 13 points, and Andrej Stojakovic added 10, but it wasn’t enough to offset the team's poor shooting and inability to contend against San Diego State's defense.
Coach Mark Madsen's frustrations culminated when he was issued a technical foul for his protests late in the first half, epitomizing the Bears' struggles both on the court and as they dealt with the officials. Madsen's team will seek redemption as they prepare for their next game against Pittsburgh on January 1, 2025.
San Diego State, buoyed by this win, will host Utah State next Saturday, aiming to extend their winning streak. This performance not only cements their position within the rankings but also sets the foundation for what could be shaping up as a promising season.
