BYU Blows Double-Digit Lead, Falls To No. 19 San Diego State

PROVO, Utah – BYU basketball falls to San Diego State, 82-75. The Cougars were a sizable underdog in this game but had a 10-point lead in the second half.

Final: @Aztec_MBB 82, @BYUMBB 75.#BYU falls to 1-1 on the season.#BYUHoops #GoCougs

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 12, 2022

San Diego State wouldn’t go down easy as they then reeled off a 40-23 run to come away with the victory.

Tough loss for #BYU. They had their moments to pull off an unlikely Quad 1 win. 20 turnovers sunk BYU.#BYUHoops @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022

BYU basketball falls to 1-1 on the season and will return to action next week against Missouri State in Provo on November 16.

BYU/SDSU Recap

Here’s a breakdown of what happened during BYU’s loss to San Diego State.

Starting Lineups

BYU (1-1)

• G – Rudi Williams, 6-3, Sr. (Coastal Carolina transfer)
• G – Spencer Johnson, 6-5, Jr.
• G – Jaxson Robinson, 6-7, Soph. (Arkansas transfer)
• F – Gideon George, 6-6, Sr.
• C – Foussyeni Traore, 6-6, Soph.

No. 19 San Diego State (2-0)

• G – Darrion Trammell, 5-10, Sr. (Seattle U transfer)
• G – Lamont Butler, 6-2, Jr.
• F – Matt Bradley, 6-4, Sr.
• F – Keshad Johnson, 6-7, Sr.
• C – Nathan Mensah, 6-10, Sr.

BYU basketball jumps out to strong first half

• 18:11 – BYU is off to a solid start as Fousseyni Traore goes up with a strong layup. BYU 4, SDSU 2
• 17:46 – BYU brings some tempo off a made three-pointer for SDSU. Gideon George attacks the basket and draws an and-one opportunity. BYU 7, SDSU 5

What a start for #BYU. Up 14-7. On a 7-0 run over the Aztecs. #BYUHoops

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022

• 16:09 – BYU pops off a 7-0 run as Rudi Williams causes a steal that leads to a dunk, then Jaxson Robinson buries a three. BYU 14, SDSU 7

Kind of like Boise State brings out the best in the #BYU football team, SDSU does this for #BYU basketball.

A lot of time left in this one, but an impressive start for #BYU. Shooting 88% from the field and have forced four Aztec turnovers.#BYUHoops

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022

• 15:37 – At the first media timeout, BYU basketball is shooting 88% from the field and they have six points off four Aztec turnovers. BYU 16, SDSU 8

#BYU offense looking alive and well in the early moments against SDSU.

14 points in the first 4 minutes.

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) November 12, 2022

• 14:36 – BYU forward Noah Waterman came off the bench and, in two seconds, was called for two fouls. BYU 18, SDSU 8

Noah Waterman just got two fouls called on him in two seconds on the floor. You don't see that often.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022

• 13:02 – San Diego State’s Micah Parrish knocks down three free throws after being fouled by Trey Stewart. Aztecs are an 8-0 run. BYU 18, SDSU 16
• 11:55 – The Aztecs are now up to a 10-0 run. Coming into the game, Mark Pope preached to his team that they needed to “crash the glass.” BYU’s second unit, without Fousseyni Traore is struggling in that department. SDSU has an early 7-3 edge on the boards. BYU 18, SDSU 18

Great environment for @Aztec_MBB @BYUMBB at Viejas: pic.twitter.com/wfoP1x4pHT

— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) November 12, 2022

• NCAA.com’s Andy Katz shared a video of the atmosphere at Viejas Arena for BYU/San Diego State. Katz has a history covering the old WAC from his days as a beat writer covering New Mexico.
• 11:46 – BYU freshman Richie Saunders ends an Aztec 12-0 run with a corner three. The Cougs are 2-for-2 in the early going from beyond the arc. BYU 21, SDSU 20
• 7:58 – The offensive fireworks slowed down a bit as SDSU hasn’t scored a field goal in 4:28 of action. Rudi Williams is filling up the stat sheet with seven points on a perfect 3-of-3 from the field, to go with three steals and two rebounds. On the downside, he does already have four turnovers. BYU 26, SDSU 22

Someone hand Bill Walton a headset to give some color commentary. He's in Viejas Arena, along with ESPN's Jay Bilas and Seth Greenberg. #BYU #BYUHoops

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022

• The Mountain West Network broadcast showed Bill Walton along with ESPN’s Jay Bilas and Seth Greenberg. Bilas was on the call of the Gonzaga-Michigan State game earlier in the evening on the USS Abraham Lincoln.
• 5:36 – BYU is outrebounding the Aztecs, 12 to 11. BYU 30, SDSU 26
• 4:34 – Trey Stewart gets a clean pass from Rudi Williams and the sophomore buries a three with confidence. He’s one of the most improved shooters in the program this season. BYU 34, SDSU 28
• 2:41 – Moments before the media timeout, Rudi Williams had a wide-open three-point attempt. You don’t get that many open looks against the Aztec defense. Just a bit off for the star grad transfer. BYU 36, SDSU 32

What a catch from Atiki Ally Atiki on that post entry pass.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022

• 2:20 – The Spencer Johnson story continues to grow. Johnson buries a clutch three to give BYU some separation. BYU 39, SDSU 33
• 43.9 – San Diego State’s student section, “The Show,” hasn’t had much to cheer about for their team. So now it’s becoming “ref you suck” chants. It should be noted, to this point, BYU has been called for 13 fouls to the Aztecs 10. BYU 40, SDSU 34
• 4.3 – BYU’s Mark Pope calls a 30-second timeout to draw up last play in the first half. The play resulted in a turnover by Trey Stewart without a field goal attempt. One thing that was interesting on the final play, everyone on BYU was lined up on the baseline, then ran onto the court when the whistle blew. I was having flashbacks of when BYU football players lined up in a three-point stance to run on the field during the Bronco era.

Great first half from #BYU. To be up by four against one of the more physical teams out west, while committing 11 turnovers, solid 20 minutes from Mark Pope's squad.#BYUHoops https://t.co/CaDYeJOIlq

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022

• Halftime: BYU 40, SDSU 36

Notable halftime stats

BYU basketball leads by four despite committing 11 turnovers. San Diego State has scored eight points off BYU’s 11 turnovers. Meanwhile, BYU has scored seven points off the Aztecs eight turnovers.

#BYU needs to find an answer to stop TCU transfer Jaedon LeDee. The 6-foot-9 Aztec big man has scored 16 points in 13 minutes.

Five #BYU players have scored five points or more in the first half. Fouss leads the way with 8 points.#BYUHoops

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022

Five BYU players have scored five points or more, with Fousseyni Traore leading the way with eight points.

BYU has no answer for TCU transfer Jaedon LeDee. He scored 16 points in the first half in only 13 minutes of action.

San Diego State pulls away in the second half

• 18:20 – San Diego State standout Matt Bradley scored his two field goals of the game within 12 seconds of each other. Viejas Arena crowd starts to get louder. BYU 42, SDSU 40
• 18:03 – A clutch three-pointer from Gideon George keeps the Viejas crowd silent. BYU 45, SDSU 40

Back-to-back three-pointers from Gideon George keeps the Viejas crowd silent.#BYU #BYUHoops

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022

• 16:40 – Back-to-back threes for Gideon. BYU 50, SDSU 42
• 15:51 – First media timeout of the second half, and BYU basketball is creating separation from the Aztecs. The underdog is starting to believe.
• 15:47 – A Fouss Traore layup gets BYU back to their game-high lead of 10. BYU 52, SDSU 42
• 14:30 – San Diego State popped off a quick four points, then BYU had a miss on their end of the floor. A stoppage of play then took place as Spencer Johnson had a bloody nose. BYU 52, SDSU 46
• 13:31 – Momentum is beginning to swing in favor of the Aztecs. BYU has committed 15 turnovers as a team. BYU 52, SDSU 48
• 12:22 – Tough layup from Rudi Williams to end San Diego State’s run. But then Darrion Trammell hits a midrange bucket from the corner. BYU 54, SDSU 52

#BYU's starting five all have a positive plus/minus so far tonight. The bench? All in the negative.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022

• 11:45 – BYU has missed its last five three-point attempts. They need to find their stroke again if they want to pull off the upset on Montezuma Mesa.
• 11:37 – Spencer Johnson gets an offensive rebound off a miss from Jaxson Robinson beyond the arc. BYU 56, SDSU 52
• 10:29 – Micah Parrish makes two of three free throws to tie the game. BYU 56, SDSU 56
• 9:28 – Dallin Hall hits a big jumper, his first made field goal of the night. BYU 58, SDSU 56

San Diego State has spent a lot of time at the foul line in the second half. #BYU can’t keep fouling and expect to win.

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) November 12, 2022

• 8:23 – Fouss Traore picks up his fourth foul. Mark Pope turns to Noah Waterman off the bench. BYU 60, SDSU 59
• 8:23 – Off a missed free throw, San Diego State comes up with the board and takes their first lead of the game. SDSU 61, BYU 60

Spencer Johnson continues to be one of the best stories on this #BYU team. Knocks down a huge to put BYU back on top, just seconds after SDSU took their first lead of the game.#BYUHoops

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022

• 7:58 – Spencer Johnson buries a three to put BYU back on top. BYU 63, SDSU 61
• 7:14 – Spencer Johnson. Again. He gets the bounce to fall on his shot that went off the rim. BYU 65, SDSU 61
• 6:50 – Johnson comes up with a baseline jumper. BYU is on a 7-0 run. BYU 67, SDSU 61

Spencer Johnson is money right now for @BYUMBB. 💰 💵 #BYU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/5iEJhUDh9g

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 12, 2022

• 3:45 – San Diego State takes its largest lead of the game after Lamont Butler flexes on a made layup to put the Aztecs up three. SDSU 71, BYU 68
• SDSU’s Jaedon LeDee has a career-high 21 points.

Fouss and Jaxson Robinson are coming back in for the final stretch with four fouls.

SDSU's Jaedon LeDee has been a terror for #BYU all night. He has a career-high 21 points.#BYUHoops

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 12, 2022

• 3:29 – Rudi Williams commits his eighth turnover of the night on an inbounds play. Nathan Mensah comes up with the steam. SDSU 71, BYU 68
• 2:28 – Fousseyni Traore appeared to have an open dunk, but Nathan Mensah closed the gap and came up with a block. A lot of contact on the play, but no whistle from the refs. Mensah was down on the floor after the play. SDSU 73, BYU 70
• 1:49 – Aztecs jumped out to a six-point lead but then who else? Spencer Johnson hits another three. SDSU 76, BYU 73
• 1:23 – Rudi Williams misses a pair of free throws. The former Coastal Carolina Chanticleer is a 73.5% career free-throw shooter. SDSU 76, BYU 73
• 36.8 – San Diego State gets out in front by three possessions. SDSU 80, BYU 73
• FINAL: San Diego State 82, BYU 75

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

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