News Summary
In a thrilling exhibition game, No. 12 UCLA emerged victorious against San Diego State with a score of 67-60 at Viejas Arena. The Aztecs faced a challenging start, initially trailing 17-0, but showed resilience in the second half, narrowing the gap to just three points. Despite their efforts and improved shooting, UCLA maintained composure and secured the win. Standout performances included UCLA’s Donovan Dent and SDSU’s Reese Dixon-Waters. The Aztecs look forward to refining their strategies in their next exhibition against San Diego.
San Diego, CA – In an exciting exhibition matchup on Friday night, No. 12 UCLA defeated San Diego State (SDSU) 67-60 at Viejas Arena. This game marked a significant moment for the Aztecs as it was their first contest in front of paying fans in 34 years, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 9,500 attendees.
The Aztecs began the game slowly, falling behind with a staggering 17-0 deficit early in the first half. SDSU struggled with ball control, committing 10 turnovers within the first seven minutes. Sean Newman Jr. finally put SDSU on the scoreboard with a 3-pointer at the 12:19 mark in the half, but the team’s offensive woes continued, as they managed to connect on only 26.9% of their shots in the opening period. By halftime, UCLA led comfortably with a score of 39-23.
Despite a challenging start, SDSU showed resilience in the second half, improving their shooting percentage to 57.1%. This surge allowed them to narrow the gap, pulling the score within three points with just 7:36 left in the game. However, UCLA maintained their composure under pressure, holding on for the victory.
Reese Dixon-Waters was a standout player for the Aztecs, leading the team with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, making a strong return after missing last season due to injury. Taj DeGourville tallied 10 points while Pharaoh Compton and Jeremiah Oden each contributed six points. Miles Byrd, hampered by an abdominal strain, managed to score only two points, and Magoon Gwath, a 7-foot defensive asset, did not play as he continues to recover from knee surgery.
UCLA’s offensive effort was led by Donovan Dent, who scored 18 points, highlighted by making all 10 free throw attempts. Skyy Clark and Trent Perry added to the Bruins’ scoring, with 13 and 10 points respectively, including a crucial three-pointer from Perry in the closing moments of the game. The Bruins, coached by Mick Cronin, opted for this exhibition to face a competitive challenge without the burden of a lengthy travel schedule.
Statistically, SDSU managed to outshoot UCLA overall with a field goal percentage of 42.6% compared to UCLA’s 40.8%. However, they struggled from three-point territory, making just 21.7% of their attempts, while UCLA had a 41.2% success rate beyond the arc. The Aztecs won the rebounding battle, finishing with 29 boards compared to the Bruins’ 28, and also led in blocks with a total of eight compared to UCLA’s three.
Looking forward, San Diego State will have another opportunity to refine their strategies and performances in an exhibition game against San Diego on October 29. The Aztecs aim to carry momentum into the regular season, which opens against Long Beach State on November 4.
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Additional Resources
- Daily News: UCLA Men’s Basketball
- Los Angeles Times: UCLA Men’s Basketball
- San Diego Union-Tribune: SDSU vs UCLA
- Wikipedia: San Diego State Aztecs Men’s Basketball
- GoAztecs: Aztecs Fall to UCLA
Author: Anaheim Staff Writer
The Anaheim Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREAnaheim.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Anaheim, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as major conventions at the Anaheim Convention Center, including NAMM and VidCon, exciting games at Angel Stadium and Honda Center, and developments at Disneyland Resort Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anaheim, plus leading businesses in hospitality, entertainment, and innovation that power the local economy As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECostaMesa.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
