Aztecs' win should be good thing for MWC

LAS VEGAS — Score one for the league.

The Mountain West got what it needed to increase the number of teams in the NCAA Tournament when San Diego State held on to knock off No. 1 seed BYU 64-62 in the Thomas & Mack Friday night.

If the Aztecs win the tournament title tonight, they'll join co-champions Utah and BYU — who should be locks — in the Big Dance. Down the line that will means a heavier purse for the league when units are paid out from TV revenues and ticket sales.

San Diego State did a better job handling BYU's zone defense than they did in the loss at Cox Arena two weeks ago. Steve Fisher then watched as his senior-laden squad, led by Lorrenzo Wade, make critical plays down the wire to preserve the win.

"We weren't perfect," said SDSU coach Steve Fisher. "We made some mistakes. We turned it over. But the thought process and what we did and how we played from the neck up wins."

Fisher then reiterated what he told reporters on Monday: "This is a league that can compete anywhere, anyplace against anybody. There are five of us that could get into the NCAA tournament and get to the Sweet 16."

BYU's Dave Rose, who watched his squad climb to 25-7 with the win over Air Force here, expects BYU's consistency will place his team in the tournament come selection Sunday, but that doesn't erase the bitter taste of losing for the second time in the last 12 games.

"This team has been terrific. We've won a lot of games, just like this game tonight. This one got away from us. But you got to give a lot of credit to San Diego State for making plays and winning," said Rose.

The Cougars had plenty of opportunities to take control of the game and make it a three-peat over the Aztecs.

But SDSU, not BYU made those plays.

Both teams made 21 field goals.

Both squads had about the same attempts at the line, 23 for BYU; 22 for the Aztecs.

Steals were also about the same, seven for the Cougars; six for SDSU.

Both teams shot 39.6 percent from the field. It doesn't get closer than that.

But SDSU made four more free throws than the Cougars and Wade went a perfect 11 for 11. That ultimately did in the Cougars.

Missed opportunities?

"We needed to take more of advantage," said Rose.