SAN JOSE, California — Nick Boyd rebounded from a challenging first half to contribute significantly after the break, scoring all 17 of his points in the second half as No. 23 San Diego State overcame California 71-50 on Saturday evening.

Despite failing to make any of his six attempts in the opening half, Boyd quickly shifted momentum by connecting on two 3-pointers within the first minute of the second half, propelling the Aztecs (8-2) to their fifth consecutive victory.

Alongside Boyd, BJ Davis and Miles Byrd each made notable contributions with 12 points for San Diego State.

On the opposing side, Jeremiah Wilkinson led California with 13 points, while Andrej Stojakovic chipped in with 10. The Golden Bears (7-5) struggled offensively, shooting just 25.5% for the game, marking their 19th straight defeat against ranked teams.

Key observations from the game include California’s dismal shooting, as they missed 16 consecutive shots in the first half. This performance led to visible frustration for head coach Mark Madsen, resulting in a technical foul late in the period.

For San Diego State, they faced their own shooting troubles early on, missing 11 of their first 12 attempts. However, they rallied late in the first half with a 16-1 scoring run and improved dramatically in the second half, converting 8 of 15 three-point attempts.

A significant moment in the game occurred when Byrd hit a 3-pointer in the final minute of the first half, breaking a streak of 21 consecutive missed three-point attempts from both teams to start the contest. San Diego State had missed their initial 10 attempts, while California was 0 for 12 at that point.

One noteworthy statistic was that California had managed to score at least 80 points in six straight games for the first time since 1972, making their 50-point output against the Aztecs all the more striking.

Looking ahead, San Diego State is set to host Utah State next Saturday, while California will travel to Pittsburgh on January 1.