No. 6 Aztecs hold off Utes, climb to 17-0
SALT LAKE CITY -- Kawhi Leonard scored 20 points, D.J. Gay hit four 3-pointers in the second half, and No. 6 San Diego State survived a scare to beat Utah 71-62 Saturday and improve to 17-0.
The Utes, who entered on a five-game losing streak, led 34-33 at halftime thanks to Will Clyburn's 14 points.
But Gay, making his 100th career start despite a leg injury, found his shot after the break. His back-to-back 3-pointers capped a 13-5 run to open the second half that gave the Aztecs a 46-39 lead.
After Utah pulled to within 57-56 with 8:45 left, Gay fueled a 10-0 spurt with two more 3-pointers.
Gay finished with 18 points and Malcolm Thomas 17 for the Aztecs, who are 2-0 in the Mountain West and host UNLV at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Josh Watkins led Utah (7-9, 0-2) with 24 points, and Clyburn scored 17.
■ No. 15 Brigham Young 76, Air Force 66 -- At Provo, Utah, Jimmer Fredette scored 13 of his 22 points in the second half, and Jackson Emery tied Danny Ainge as BYU's career steals leader with 195 as the Cougars (16-1, 2-0) defeated the Falcons (10-5, 1-1).
■ Wyoming 67, New Mexico 66 -- At Laramie, Wyo., Francisco Cruz rebounded a missed shot by teammate Daylen Harrison and sank an 8-foot shot at the buzzer to lift the Cowboys (8-8, 1-1) over the Lobos (12-4, 0-1).
Dairese Gary, who scored 24 points, had given New Mexico the lead with two free throws with 23 seconds to play.
