LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Xavier Thames scored 15 points and dished seven assists to lead No. 8 San Diego State to a 73-39 victory over Utah State, in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West conference tournament.
The top-seeded Aztecs shot 52.5 percent (31 of 59) from the field, including 7 of 17 (.412) from 3-point range. San Diego State dominated in the paint, out-rebounding the Aggies, 35-27, while it outscored Utah State in the paint, 40-14.
Winston Shepard added 13 points for the Aztecs, while Josh Davis had eight points and 13 rebounds.
Jarred Shaw led Utah State with 14 points.
San Diego State, which swept the regular-season series against first-year member Utah State, will face the winner of the UNLV-Wyoming game.
Utah State shot 12 of 41 from the floor.
The Aztecs opened the second half with the first six points, and a 23-10 run to go up 59-25 at the 12:41 mark.
