Aztecs survive against Fresno State, reach Mountain West semifinals


Aztecs survive against Fresno State, reach Mountain West semifinals

San Diego State beat Fresno State 53-46 on Thursday night at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center to advance to the semifinals of the Mountain West Tournament.

Compared to the day’s other three quarterfinals, which were decided by six total points, this was a blowout.

An absolute boat race.

The Mountain West promised to produce thrillers and it delivered. The Aztecs won by seven, but only because they went 6 for 6 at the line in the final 30 seconds when Fresno State had no choice but to foul. It was still a one-possession game inside 15 seconds left.

The win did two things: It put the Aztecs in the 9 p.m. semi Friday against second-seeded Colorado State, a 53-51 winner against Utah State. (Boise State and Wyoming meet at 6:30 in the first semi.) And it exorcized the curse of the 3 seed.

The Aztecs had been the 3 seed only once before in the 23-year history of the tournament, in 2007, and lost. They’re 15-0 in quarterfinals since.

The Aztecs iced this game at the free throw line, but, really, it was won at the other end of the floor with Nathan Mensah, who showed why he was defensive player of the year in both postseason media and coaches awards.

After double teaming Fresno State 7-footer Orlando Robinson, fresh off 37- and 31-point games, at times earlier in the game, coach Brian Dutcher opted to play him straight up with Mensah. Statistically the league’s best offensive player against its best defensive player. Mano a mano. May the best man’s team win.

Over a nine-possession stretch late in the game, Robinson shot seven times. Missed five, got fouled twice and made 2 of 4 free throws. Mensah finished with six points, six rebounds, one steal and five blocks, including the clincher with eight seconds left.

Adam Seiko and Chad Baker-Mazara, the Mountain West’s sixth man of the year, each had 11 points off the bench to lead the Aztecs (22-7). Trey Pulliam had 10 on a night when Matt Bradley had seven points and six turnovers after being national player of week with 80 points in his previous three games.

Robinson had 25 points but five turnovers. His teammates totaled 21. The 46 points aren’t Fresno State’s fewest in Mountain West history only because the Aztecs held them to 44 last month at Save Mart Center.

Dutcher predicted the first game between two familiar teams and coaching staff would be “a fistfight.” He said the regular-season rematch at Viejas Arena would be “a rock fight.”

What was this one?

It was plain ugly.

Score at the first media timeout: 4-2.

Score at the second media timeout: 6-4.

Score with 7½ minutes left in the half: 10-10.

The teams combined for 20 baskets in the first half … and 22 turnovers (11 apiece). They went nearly six minutes with only one basket between them. They missed 24 of their first 31 shots. There were six shot-clock or five-second violations. Fresno State was 0 of 7 on 3s. At one point, SDSU had back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back turnovers.

Midway through the half, one Aztecs assistant coach screamed, “Wake up, wake up,” at their players. After Aguek Arop and Adam Seiko muffed a handoff for yet another turnover, Dutcher called timeout and screamed as they walked to the huddle: “What are you doing???”

They finally figured it out — moving the ball quicker across the perimeter, running on Fresno State misses and getting Bradley involved. The all-conference guard had two points in the first meeting, a 61-44 win in Fresno. He had 26 in the 65-64 double overtime win at Viejas Arena last week. He had no points at a 17.4 percent usage rate in the first half Thursday, compared to 29.4 percent over the season.

It also helped that Mensah wasn’t in foul trouble. It took 80 seconds last week to have two; this time, he didn’t get his second foul until 8:39 left in the second half. Also on the floor to help guard Robinson was Aguek Arop, who suffered a neck injury early in last week’s game and never returned.

San Diego State’s Nathan Mensah scores against Fresno State.

(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

San Diego State's Lamont Butler reacts to a tipped ball against Fresno State.

San Diego State’s Lamont Butler reacts to a tipped ball against Fresno State.

(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

The San Diego State student section known as "The Show' cheer on the Aztecs against Fresno State in

The San Diego State student section known as “The Show’ cheer on the Aztecs against Fresno State in the Mountain West Tournament.

(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

San Diego State's Matt Bradley battles for a rebound against Fresno State's Orlando Robinson in the

San Diego State’s Matt Bradley battles for a rebound against Fresno State’s Orlando Robinson in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Tournament.

(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

San Diego State's Nathan Mensah and Matt Bradley (3) defend Fresno State's Orlando Robinson.

San Diego State’s Nathan Mensah and Matt Bradley (3) defend Fresno State’s Orlando Robinson.

(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

A member of the San Diego State dance team performs during a break against Fresno State in the Mountain West Tournament.

A member of the San Diego State dance team performs during a break against Fresno State in the Mountain West Tournament.

(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

San Diego State fans celebrate during a win against Fresno State in the quarterfinals of theMountain

San Diego State fans celebrate during a win against Fresno State in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Tournament.

(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

San Diego State's Chad Baker-Mazara celebrates after a win against Fresno State in the Mountain West Tournament.

San Diego State’s Chad Baker-Mazara celebrates after a win against Fresno State in the Mountain West Tournament.

(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)




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