Gladden Leads San Diego State Past Colorado
San Diego State beat Colorado 77-66 in the first Bill Walton Classic, with Chance Gladden leading the Aztecs.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Basketball
San Diego State defeated Colorado 77-66 on Saturday in the first Bill Walton Classic. Chance Gladden led the Aztecs with 20 points on 5 of 6 shooting and 10 of 11 free throws.
Why it matters
The win gives the Aztecs an early statement in a tournament named for Bill Walton, who died of cancer in May 2024 at age 71. Coach Acker said the team's success depends on Gladden's play.
Chance Gladden scored 20 points on 5 of 6 shooting and 10 of 11 free throws in 34 minutes, while Latrell Davis made 4 of 6 three-pointers. The box score does not show what the tournament standings look like after the game.
The players
Chance Gladden
Gladden is a San Diego State guard who previously played at Boston University and attended high school in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Bill Walton
Walton was a Hall of Fame center who played at UCLA and won NBA championships, and the tournament is named in his honor.
Latrell Davis
Davis is a San Diego State guard who made four of six three-point attempts in the win over Colorado.
The details
Gladden drove from about 35 feet to the rim, drew a foul on a shot attempt, and converted the basket and free throw for a three-point play. He did not attempt a 3-point shot, choosing to attack downhill because Colorado's defenders were weak in the gaps.
Timeline
May 2024: Bill Walton died of cancer at age 71.
Saturday, November 7, 2026: San Diego State beat Colorado 77-66 in the first Bill Walton Classic.
Season Trajectory
The first Bill Walton Classic places San Diego State's early-season win alongside the legacy of a UCLA champion whose name now anchors this event. The result gives the Aztecs an early marker as they build toward the rest of the season.
The win moves San Diego State forward in the tournament bracket, where Gladden's scoring and playmaking will remain central. Fans following Gladden in fantasy formats can track his production from this 20-point, three-assist performance.
The takeaway
Gladden's decision to drive instead of shooting shows how a player can read a defense and adjust his approach. The result is a useful reminder that efficient shot selection can matter as much as volume.
Further reading
For more college hoops coverage, see Basketball in San Diego.
