San Diego State edged a victory over Nevada 65-63 Wednesday night in Reno, Nevada, thanks to a three-point play be senior forward J.J. O’Brien with :51 left, to help put the game away.
O’Brien led the Aztecs with 18 points, but the team played down to a mediocre Wolf Pack team (6-15, 2-7) and squandered the lead several times in the second half.
“It’s a problem of ours on the road right now, to let up,” said O’Brien to U-T San Diego. “Our home crowd is not here to give us energy, so we have to create our own energy. We have to fix this problem, either starting slow or taking a lead and letting it go.
O’Brien was one point shy tying his career high and he also contributed four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
“I just take what the defense gives me,” said O’Brien to U-T San Diego. “Tonight was my night. I felt like they left the paint open and gave me some driving lanes, so I took advantage of that.”
The Aztecs (18-5, 8-2) were able to extend their winning streak to 137 when leading with less than five minutes remaining.
The only other Aztec to score in double figures on Wednesday was senior guard Aqeel Quinn (11).
It was the seventh straight game that Quinn scored in double figures.
With the win the Aztecs kept pace with Wyoming for first place in the Mountain West Conference.
SDSU will stay on the road as they will travel to play Boise St (16-6, 6-3) on Sunday at 3 p.m.
