SAN DIEGO — Spencer Johnson scored a career-high 17 points as BYU fell 82-75 to No. 19 San Diego State at Viejas Arena Friday night. 

"I thought we attacked really well in the first half and hit the glass," said head coach Mark Pope. "We had some activity defensively that I liked and we were sharing the ball. It kind of got away from us in the final 10 minutes. We lost the battle at the rim and Trammell hit some big shots."

BOX SCORE

POSTGAME NOTES

After leading 40-36 at half, BYU extended its lead with a 12-6 run built on two 3-pointers form Gideon George and points in the paint from Fousseyni Traore. A successful inbound play from Rudi Williams to Traore helped the Cougars tie their game-high lead at 52-42 with 15:47 to play.

An Aztec 3-point play and two minute BYU scoring drought helped San Diego State discover momentum and tied the game at 56 with 10:29 remaining.

Despite the Aztec run and the mounting crowd noise in hostile Viejas Arena, the Cougars continued to respond with freshman guard Dallin Hall nailing a turnaround jumper and then dishing to Traore for two. BYU found itself down 61-60 when junior guard Spencer Johnson responded with a 7-point run of his own. Johnson dialed it up from distance and knocked down the 3-pointer, then converted a George rebound for two points on a jumper. Following an Aztec miss, George would again find Johnson for the lay-in.

After Johnson’s barrage, the Cougars found themselves leading 67-61 with 6:50 to go. San Diego State would not go away easily. The Aztecs fought their way back with free throws and a dagger 3-pointer from guard Darrion Trammell as part of a game-closing 21-8 run. BYU closed the game on nearly two minutes without a field goal before the buzzer sounded on a 7-point defeat.

Turnovers and fouls combined in a losing recipe for the Cougars on Friday. BYU totaled 20 giveaways on the night to San Diego State’s 10. The Aztecs scored 17 points off those turnovers. San Diego State also shot 70% from the charity stripe on 37 free throw attempts. BYU, meanwhile, shot 63% on just 16 such attempts.

Johnson led BYU with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field. The American Fork, Utah native also posted seven rebounds. Traore logged a productive night with 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting along with 4- of-4 from the free throw line. Williams and George scored 15 and 11 points, respectively.

San Diego State posted two 20-point scorers with Jaedon LeDee at 23 and Trammell at 21.

Three-point shooting kept BYU in the game early and helped the Cougars lead by as many as 10 at 18-8 in the first half. The Cougars went 5-of-11 (45%) from beyond the arc and 50 percent from the floor in the opening period, while also scoring six fastbreak points. In the second half, the Cougars would record just four makes from distance on 15 attempts.

BYU returns home for a two-game stand beginning Nov. 16 as it hosts Missouri State. The Cougars then welcome Nicholls to the Marriott Center on Nov. 19. Both games will be broadcast live on BYUtv at 7 p.m. MDT and can be heard live on BYU Radio Sirius XM 143, BYURadio.org/BYU Radio app or KSL 102.7 FM/1160 AM.

PROVO, Utah — BYU men's basketball will hit the road for the first time this season when the Cougars face No. 19 San Diego State on Friday, Nov. 11, at Steve Fisher Court at Viejas Arena. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PST.

Friday’s contest will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network. Greg Wrubell and Mark Durrant will also be on the call on the BYU Sports Network on BYU Radio Sirius XM 143 and KSL 102.7/1160 AM.

BYU Notes (1-0, 0-0 WCC)

• BYU improved to 4-0 in season openers under head coach Mark Pope on Monday with a 60-56 victory over Idaho State at the Marriott Center.
• Fousseyni Traore became the first player since Yoeli Childs in 2018 to record a double-double in a season opener, finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds against the Bengals.
• With their win on Monday, the Cougars improved to 20-1 under Pope when holding the opponent to under 60 points.

Head Coach – Mark Pope

• Alma Mater: Kentucky, 1996
• Division I Career Record: 146-82 (8th Season)
• Record at BYU:  69-26 (4th Season)

No. 19 San Diego State Notes (1-0, 0-0 Mountain West)

• San Diego State is ranked 19th in the AP and 20th in the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll.
• Four Aztecs scored in double figures as the Aztecs opened the season with a 80-57 victory over Cal State Fullerton.
• The Aztecs shot 53.8 percent from the field on Monday, marking their 91st-straight win at home when shooting 50.0 percent or better.

Head Coach – Brian Dutcher

• Alma Mater: Minnesota, 1982
• Career Record: 120-40 (6th Season)

Series Information

• Series Record: 50-26
• Last Meeting: BYU won 66-60, 11/12/21
• H/A/N: 30-4/19-18/2-1

Broadcast Information

• TV: Mountain West Network
• Streamed Audio: BYU Radio Sirius XM 143, KSL 102.7/1160 AM, BYURadio.org, BYU Radio app
• Radio Talent: Greg Wrubell, Mark Durrant
• Live stats: BYUCougars.com