LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — In a gritty, defensive-minded Mountain West Conference tournament quarterfinal, the San Diego State Aztecs used a dominant first-half performance and weathered a late Colorado State rally to advance with a 71-62 victory on Thursday night at T-Mobile Arena.

The Aztecs, now 21-10, built a 12-point halftime lead and then held off a determined push from the Rams in the final minutes to secure their spot in the semifinals. Colorado State’s season ends with a 21-12 record.

San Diego State established control early, leveraging its size and defensive intensity. The Aztecs opened the game on a 10-2 run, highlighted by an early layup from Miles Byrd and stifling defense that forced several Rams turnovers. While Colorado State found brief answers, including a three-pointer from Carey Booth and a hook shot from Kyle Jorgensen, San Diego State consistently responded. A key sequence saw the Aztecs’ Pharaoh Compton, a physical presence from Chicago, convert a three-point play and then score on a tip-in dunk, helping extend the lead.

The Rams struggled to find consistent offense against San Diego State’s swarming defense, shooting poorly from the floor throughout the half. The Aztecs closed the period strong, with a Magoon Gwath three-pointer in the final minute giving them a 39-27 advantage at the break. Compton’s energy off the bench was pivotal, as he compiled 11 points and multiple offensive rebounds in just 15 minutes of action.

Colorado State emerged from halftime with renewed purpose. The Rams chipped away at the deficit, with guards Brandon Rechsteiner and Jase Butler leading the charge. A three-pointer from Jevin Muniz and a driving layup from Jojo McIver kept the pressure on the Aztecs. San Diego State’s lead, which had ballooned to 16 points early in the second half, was slowly eroded by Colorado State’s persistent defense and timely shooting.

The most critical juncture of the game arrived inside the final three minutes. After a Rechsteiner three-pointer pulled Colorado State within a single possession at 62-60, the Rams had multiple opportunities to tie or take the lead. However, the Aztecs’ defense, which had defined their night, rose to the occasion. Colorado State committed crucial turnovers on consecutive possessions, and San Diego State capitalized at the free-throw line.

The Rams’ comeback bid was ultimately undone at the charity stripe. In the game’s tense final two minutes, San Diego State sealed the victory by making 9 of 12 free throws, while Colorado State missed key shots and committed offensive fouls. The Aztecs’ ability to execute under pressure and convert free throws in a high-stakes environment proved the difference.

Rechsteiner led all scorers with 16 points for Colorado State, while Butler added 14. Jorgensen and Muniz contributed 10 and 9 points, respectively. For San Diego State, the scoring was balanced, with Byrd scoring 12 points, and both Compton and Reese Dixon-Waters adding 11 each. Dixon-Waters also played a key defensive role, logging 33 minutes.

San Diego State will face San Jose State in the tournament semifinals on Friday. The Aztecs, who were 5.5-point favorites, saw the total score of 133 fall well under the pregame over/under of 143.5, a testament to the defensive struggle that characterized the contest. The victory also marked a reversal from the teams’ last meeting on Feb. 21, when Colorado State won by nine points in Fort Collins.