No. 23 SDSU shuts down Cal for fifth consecutive win

NCAA Basketball: San Jose Tip Off-California at San Diego StateDec 21, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard BJ Davis (10) shoots against California Golden Bears guard DJ Campbell (3) during the second half at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Nick Boyd bombed in five 3-pointers in a game-high, 17-point performance, Magoon Gwath anchored a relentless defense and 23rd-ranked San Diego State shut down Cal for a 71-50 victory in the nightcap of the four-team San Jose Tip-Off men’s basketball showcase Saturday night.

BJ Davis and Miles Byrd chipped in with 12 points apiece, while Gwath had six points, a team-high 10 rebounds and three blocks for the Aztecs (8-2), who won their fifth straight.

Jeremiah Wilkinson, despite 0-for-7 shooting on 3-point attempts, had a team-high 13 points for the Golden Bears (7-5), who lost for the fourth time in their past five games. Andrej Stojakovic, who shot 2-for-12 overall, added 10 points.

Taking advantage of San Diego State’s 1-for-12 start from the field, Cal led 10-2 after seven minutes before the Aztecs flipped the script.

San Diego State limited Cal to just six points the rest of the first half while finally getting its offense in gear. Byrd’s 3-pointer in the final minute of the period capped a 23-6 spurt that gave the Aztecs a 25-16 lead at the break.

The Golden Bears, who shot just 15.6 percent (5 of 32) from the field before the break, were never a threat in the second period.

Boyd’s five 3-pointers equaled the total of the entire Cal team, which went 5-for-24 from beyond the arc. Stojakovic had two of Cal’s five successes in six tries, but went 0-for-6 on 2-point attempts.

Wayne McKinney III was a fourth Aztec scoring in double figures with 10 points. He converted four of his seven shots, making him the only player in the game to hit at least half his tries with four or more attempts.

San Diego State won despite shooting just 37.3 percent. The 50 points allowed were its second fewest this season, bettered only in a 100-49 win over Occidental.

Boyd also found time for four steals, while Byrd had five rebounds and a game-high three assists.

Wilkinson logged his 13 points mostly on 7-for-9 success at the foul line. He also had six rebounds. Stojakovic complemented his 10 points with three steals and three blocks.

No Cal starter recorded an assist. The team totaled four as the club was held 19 below its previous season-low in points.

Cal’s Mady Sissoko was the game’s leading rebounder with 11, including five on the offensive boards.

–Field Level Media

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