Late in the second half, Colorado State went on a 15-6 run that put the Rams ahead 26-16 at the 6:04 mark. San Diego State responded with an 14-5 run to close the gap to one, 31-30, heading into halftime.
SDSU's first lead came with 17:43 left in the game, 35-34. The Aztecs' lead peaked at seven points, 47-40, with 11 minutes remaining in the game before CSU went on an 18-7 run capped by a Tim Denson tip-in at the 4:27 mark to give CSU a 58-54 lead.
Brandon Heath's five 3-pointers ranks fifth on the all-time MWC tournament charts.
CSU's Stuart Creason scored 19 points, the most for him since a Dec. 29 outing vs. Alabama State, a span of 18 contests.
The Aztecs' Lorrenzo Wade set a career-high with nine assists.
SDSU's 24 three-point attempts marks a season-high for the Aztecs.
With his second 3-pointer of the night, Brandon Heath became the Aztecs' all-time leader in 3-point field goals (274).
In the first two meetings between San Diego State and Colorado State, the Aztecs out-rebounded the Rams by a total of just two rebounds combined. In tonight's game, CSU out-rebounded SDSU by 11.
Colorado State's Jason Smith tallied his 23rd career double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. It is his 17th double-double of the season and seventh consecutive.
For the fourth time in five seasons, the No. 6 seed has upset the No. 3 seed in the quarterfinal round. Colorado State is the only team to accomplish the feat twice. The Rams also defeated No. 3 seed Wyoming en route to the tournament championship in 2003.
No. 6 seed Colorado State will now take on No. 2 seed UNLV in the semifinals Friday at 8:30 p.m.
