Eric Evelhoch / The Sporting Tribune
General view of MGM Grand Garden Arena at tipoff of the San Diego State Aztecs facing the Oregon Ducks in day two of the 2024 Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.
FINAL: Oregon 78 - San Diego State 68
LAS VEGAS – With wins over ranked teams on Tuesday, the San Diego State Aztecs and Oregon Ducks are set to play for the top seed of the Power Group of the Players Era Festival at 1 p.m. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
SDSU (3-1) knocked off No. 21 Creighton 71-53 for their first win over a ranked team of the season. Oregon, who is receiving votes in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls, topped No. 20 Texas A&M 80-70.
BJ Davis had another career day, scoring 18 points while grabbing nine rebounds as the Aztecs held the Bluejays to 33.9% shooting from the field. Miles Byrd added 16 points, with 12 coming in the second half, as SDSU knocked down 6 of 11 from downtown in the second half and 8 of 17 for the game. The Scarlet and Black double-teamed Ryan Kalkbrenner, harassing the center into 5 of 12 shooting and limiting him to 11 points and five rebounds.
The Ducks had four players in double-digits, led by Washington State transfer guard TJ Bamba's 18 points and four steals while making 10 of 12 free throws. Guard Jackson Shelstad added 16 points, while Torrey Pines High grad forward Brandon Angel had 16 points on 5 of 6 shooting and 2 of 3 from beyond the arc. The Ducks outscored the Aggies 51-38 in the second half, holding A&M to 27.0% shooting while knocking down 61.5% of their attempts.
San Diego State has not faced Oregon since the 1997-98 season, where the Aztecs won 80-68 in the first season where every home game was played the then Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl. The two teams have the best records in Las Vegas since the 2009-10 season amongst Players Era Festival participants, with the Aztecs posting a 58-16 (78.4%) mark while the Ducks are 29-12 (70.7%).
Catch up on coverage leading into Tuesday: