San Diego State holds off New Mexico 83-79, stays unbeaten in Mountain West play

Aztecs close out late after Lobos erase 15-point second-half deficit at Viejas Arena

San Diego State protected its unbeaten start in Mountain West play on Saturday, January 17, 2026, holding off a late New Mexico surge for an 83-79 win at Viejas Arena in San Diego. The result kept the Aztecs alone among the conference’s unbeatens, improving them to 13-4 overall and 7-0 in league play, while the Lobos fell to 14-4 overall and 5-2 in the Mountain West.

The game turned into a two-act contest: San Diego State’s first-half control, followed by New Mexico’s prolonged rally that reached the final minute with the outcome still undecided.

First half: San Diego State’s pace and disruption build separation

San Diego State carried a 48-35 lead into halftime, powered by Miles Byrd’s early scoring and activity on both ends. Byrd scored 10 points before the break and finished with 21 points, adding eight rebounds, three steals and four blocks. The Aztecs’ defensive pressure helped create possessions that prevented New Mexico from settling into a consistent rhythm until after intermission.

Second half: Lobos respond, briefly lead late

New Mexico responded with sharper execution and greater efficiency in the second half, trimming what had grown to a 15-point deficit. The Lobos tied the game in the final stretch and briefly took a two-point lead inside the final minute, setting up a tense closing sequence.

San Diego State answered with a decisive final-minute run, scoring the game’s last six points to secure the win. BJ Davis provided the defining basket with a jump shot in the closing seconds, a make that restored the Aztecs’ lead for good.

Key performers

• Miles Byrd (San Diego State): 21 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 blocks.

• Pharaoh Compton (San Diego State): 12 points, 3 steals.

• Taj DeGourville (San Diego State): 11 points.

• Tomislav Buljan (New Mexico): 20 points, 14 rebounds, 4 steals.

• Jake Hall (New Mexico): 15 points, 5 assists.

• Antonio Chol (New Mexico): 12 points.

What the result means in the Mountain West race

The win extended San Diego State’s momentum and preserved a spotless conference mark through seven games, an early-season separator in a league where road wins and short turnarounds can quickly compress the standings. For New Mexico, the near-comeback provided evidence of late-game competitiveness against the conference leader, but the inability to convert a lead in the final minute was costly in a standings race where single possessions can swing positioning.

San Diego State led 48-35 at halftime and closed the game with six straight points in the final minute to finish the 83-79 victory.

New Mexico’s next stretch includes a return home for conference games against Fresno State and Nevada.