Alex Barcello Helps BYU Basketball Upset No. 18 San Diego State
Dec 18, 2020, 5:00 PM | Updated: Dec 19, 2020, 7:51 pm
Brigham Young Cougars guard Alex Barcello (4) runs through San Diego State Aztecs guards Jordan Schakel (20) and Malachi Flynn (22) during the first half of an NCAA basketball game at Marriott Center in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – BYU guard Alex Barcello led the Cougars to an upset victory over the No. 18 San Diego State Aztecs.
The Aztecs hosted the Cougars on Friday, December 18.
After a double-digit lead fell to a single possession in the final minutes, BYU escaped Southern California with a 72-62 win.
It was BYU’s first victory over San Diego State since 2011 and broke a four-game losing streak to the Aztecs.
Statement! @BYUbasketball takes down No. 18 @Aztec_MBB on the road at Viejas Arena.
First win against the Aztecs in hoops since 2011.
Final: BYU 72, SDSU 62
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 18, 2020
Barcello led the Cougars with a team-high 22 points.
The senior guard made 7-11 field goals, including 2-3 from three-point range. He also was a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe.
Barcello added seven rebounds, a game-high seven assists, and one steal.
He does it all@AlexBarcello23 | @BYUbasketball #WCChoops
pic.twitter.com/zFJIRynaNG— WCC Basketball (@WCChoops) December 18, 2020
After the Aztecs held a 5-4 lead early in the contest, BYU took control of the scoreboard until the final buzzer.
San Diego State trailed 35-20 at halftime but closed the gap in the final minutes of the second half.
With 1:57 remaining, Matt Mitchell dunked the ball to tie the game at 61 apiece.
AN EMPHATIC SLAM TO TIE!! @Aztec_MBB has tied it up after trailing by 17!! pic.twitter.com/BWIG25J9kp
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) December 18, 2020
The jam capped a 14-0 run by SDSU.
Over the final two minutes of action, the Cougars responded.
Brandon Averette buried a massive three-pointer with 54 seconds left to give BYU a four-point cushion, 66-62.
Clutch triple from @BAforever_4 to put @BYUbasketball back up 4 with less than a minute to go! pic.twitter.com/qRgmRYyNCc
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) December 18, 2020
The Cougars added three trips to the foul line and ended the game on an 11-1 run.
Mark Pope is jumping around! #BLRA#BYU #BYUHoops @kslsports pic.twitter.com/82kCZWvL4L
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 19, 2020
Mitchell finished with a game-high 35 points on 12-17 shooting, including 5-9 from distance.
San Diego State fell for the first time this season and moved to 5-1 this season.
The Cougars improved to 7-2 on the season with the result.
What. A. Game. SDSU came all the way back from down 17, but @BYUbasketball doesn't break and it pulls off the 72-62 win! pic.twitter.com/ZW7DZXfmy5
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) December 19, 2020
BYU’s next game is against Texas Southern on Monday, December 21 at 7 p.m. (MDT). The game will broadcast on BYUtv and KSL NewsRadio 102.7 FM and 1160 AM.
