San Diego State Falls to No. 12 UCLA at Viejas Arena
The San Diego State Aztecs faced a tough challenge against the No. 12 UCLA Bruins in a preseason exhibition game at Viejas Arena. The matchup served as a litmus test for the Aztecs, who ended their previous season with a disappointing loss to North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament.
Game Highlights
The exhibition, held on October 17, 2025, started poorly for the Aztecs. Within just 7½ minutes, they found themselves trailing 17-0. It took until 12:15 left in the first half for guard Sean Newman Jr. to score the team’s first basket with a three-pointer.
Performance Analysis
Head coach Brian Dutcher expressed that the game would reveal the team’s strengths and weaknesses. The Aztecs struggled initially, shooting only 26.9% in the first half, a stark contrast to their second-half performance of 57.1%. They ended the game losing to UCLA 67-60.
- First half score: UCLA 39, SDSU 23
- Second half score: SDSU 37, UCLA 28
- Final Score: UCLA 67, SDSU 60
In the second half, the Aztecs found their rhythm, cutting UCLA’s lead to just three points with seven minutes remaining. However, they could not complete the comeback. Sophomore guard Taj DeGourville emphasized how the team rallied after their tough start.
Player Contributions
Dixon-Waters led the Aztecs with 19 points, marking his return after missing last season due to injury. DeGourville contributed 10 points, while Newman and Pharaoh Compton both faced foul troubles, with Newman fouling out. On the Bruins’ side, Donovan Dent stood out, scoring 18 points and earning numerous fouls.
Looking Ahead
The Aztecs now have a two-week break before they play USD in another exhibition game on October 29. The regular season kicks off on November 4 against Long Beach State. Coach Dutcher aims for improvement, recognizing areas where the team must refine its execution to secure future wins.
