As the final buzzer sounded, a fired-up Fredette threw the ball into the air and celebrated with his teammates just a few feet from SDSU's student section. It was the first home loss in 14 games this season for the Aztecs, who also lost by 13 to BYU at Provo a month ago.

"We were just really, really excited to win this game," Fredette said. "It's a huge game. Everyone was picking San Diego State to win and I thought our team did a great job of just making shots and getting rebounds, getting loose balls, doing things that we needed to do, and that's why it was an emotional win."

The Cougars (27-2, 13-1 Mountain West) swept the regular-season series against the Aztecs (27-2, 12-2) for the third straight year and took a one-game lead in the conference. SDSU's second loss came in one of the most eagerly anticipated games in this city's history. The Aztecs' only win against BYU in the last three seasons was in the MWC tournament semifinals two seasons ago.

The teams very well could meet again in the conference tournament championship game, which determines the league's automatic berth in the NCAA tournament. Both teams are expecting high seeds in the NCAAs.

"I told our team, 'BYU is Final Four good,' " SDSU coach Steve Fisher said. "And I don't know that our guys liked to hear that. And then I said, 'We are, too.' Today, they were the better team. No excuses. They made plays. They made shots."

Just like last month in Provo, it was too much Fredette. The Aztecs rotated three players on him defensively, and often double-teamed him. That left other BYU players open and Fredette got them the ball.

The Cougars took control of this game earlier than they did at Provo.

Charles Abouo added 18 points as the Cougars dominated inside and outside. Noah Hartsock had 15 points and Jackson Emery added 13.

BYU made 14 of 24 3-point shots, including four each by Fredette and Abouo. SDSU only made six of 17 from behind the arc.

"A lot of times, they are double-teaming me and I was getting them the ball and they were wide open, so they are going to make shots if they are wide open," Fredette said.

"Whether they shoot 14 for 24 or not, they are going to be a very, very difficult out for anyone in the NCAA tournament," Fisher said. "I don't care who it is. They are that good."