Growing up in San Diego County, the San Diego State Aztecs basketball program was a staple of my childhood.
I moved to North Idaho in 2020 and began to appreciate the culture that Gonzaga has established throughout the Northwest. For hundreds of miles, it is uncommon to go anywhere in public without seeing some type of Gonzaga merchandise.
After witnessing my favorite team make history in 2023, becoming the first Mountain West team to appear in a Final Four, let alone a National Championship, I was ecstatic when it was announced that the Aztecs would be coming to Spokane in 2023.
Though I have been to a handful of San Diego State games in the past, this was my first time attending an Aztecs road game.
Though the game took place over Christmas Break, and it was assumed the atmosphere would be relatively weaker than normal, by 6 p.m., the Kennel was packed full of excited fans. Although the arena seats only 6,000, the close-quarters environment makes the McCarthey Athletic Center a hostile environment for road teams.
Prior to Friday’s game, Gonzaga had won 88 of their last 89 home games and held a 59-game home nonconference win streak that dated back to 2015.
“It’s big time,” Bulldogs’ forward Anton Watson said. “Once you get your home fans in there, in that intense of a game against San Diego State, you know how that’s going to be. The energy in the gym plays a factor. You can use the momentum of the fans, and it’s a big advantage to play on your home court.”
San Diego State understood the impact the crowd could have on the game and did everything they could not to let it bother them. Gonzaga played a strong first half, leading by as many as eight at one point. The Kennel erupted with cheers after each Gonzaga score.
The Aztecs finished out the first half with a resilient effort and went into the break with a 38-37 lead. Darrion Trammell scored 15 first-half points, leading both teams.
The Aztecs had an electric start to the second half, extending their lead to 15 points. The crowd played a major factor in the final 11 minutes of the game, and Gonzaga’s full-court trap helped to cut the lead to two points.
San Diego State’s defense never faltered, and the Aztecs handed Gonzaga their fourth loss of the season and their first double-digit loss in the Kennel since 2012.
San Diego State did what it needed to do offensively and defensively and secured an 84-74 win, one that may be deemed significant on Selection Sunday. The Aztecs own two of the 13 losses that Gonzaga has earned at home since 2004.
Graham Ike scored 20 points with ten rebounds for the Bulldogs, followed by 16 points from Watson and 15 points with nine assists from Ryan Nembhard.
Reese Waters led both teams with 22 points for the Aztecs, Jaedon LeDee added 20 and Trammell finished with 17. Gonzaga had more assists, rebounds and steals than San Diego State. However, the Aztecs maintained a 50 percent field goal percentage, while Gonzaga shot just 42.4 percent from the field and 26.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Being in attendance at this game in a historic arena was a full-circle experience for a born and raised San Diego kid. There were a handful of San Diego State fans in attendance at Friday’s game despite the Gonzaga-dominant crowd.
“I’ve been waiting years for the Aztecs to come play Gonzaga in Spokane, and finally, that day has come. I don’t think our team will be intimidated,” Spokane resident, San Diego State graduate and Northern Quest employee Nicholas Seistrup said. “I was at the Final Four, and that was an unbelievable experience. Hopefully, this will be a game I can add to my list of great games I’ve witnessed. It’s exciting to finally be here after a lot of anticipation.”
Seistrup was thankful to receive tickets through work, and joked, “My philosophy since I started working at Northern Quest has been, ‘If they can’t get me a ticket to this game, then I don’t know if I need to work there anymore, but they came through.’”
Greg Davenport graduated from San Diego State in 1994 and has been following the basketball team ever since. Davenport mentioned that he was very fortunate to have good friends in Spokane who are season ticket holders and were able to provide him with tickets. Davenport drove from Portland to watch the game.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Davenport said. “It’s so hard to get into this arena. Even for locals, this is a tough ticket to come by. When I graduated, I never envisioned the program would soar the way it has, but I’m here for it.”
Aztec alumni Dr. Brian Reagan flew to Spokane from San Diego to watch Friday’s game. He has been a season ticket holder since 2012.
“I’ve been supporting the San Diego State basketball team for 21 years, and coach Fisher and Dutcher brought a nationally prominent basketball program to San Diego,” Reagan said.
He mentioned the significance that these two programs have had on college basketball, being the two best mid-major teams in the country. Reagan mentioned he had to receive his tickets from the team because it was impossible to buy tickets online.
“You can tell this community supports their basketball team, as they should, because this has really brought a lot of prominence to Gonzaga and Spokane,” Reagan said.
