Fans scale fence, push through gates at San Diego State watch party for men's final against Connecticut

Students and fans looking to get into an arena watch party on San Diego State University's campus for the viewing of the men's college basketball championship game pushed through security barriers and scaled fences to try to get entry into the venue after it had reached maximum capacity.

According to the Daily Aztec, San Diego State's independently-run student newspaper, thousands of spectators showed up Monday evening to Viejas Arena, ahead of the Aztec's eventual 76-59 loss against the Connecticut Huskies. Normal security protocols were in place to attend the event, including the use of metal detectors and bag checks.

The Daily Aztec reported that as tipoff time drew near, orderly lines never formed and the crowd pushed forward toward the entry points, despite announcements asking for fans to move back.

A video posted to the account of Daniela Ramirez, one of the Daily Aztec student reporters on the scene, showed several hundred people trying to push their way into the arena grounds after doors had been closed to seal off access. Several people scaled a barrier and then pushed open doors from the inside to allow others to rush into the venue. In the video, security and event staff are overwhelmingly outnumbered and try to impede the progress of people looking to rush in.

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According to the Daily Aztec, the official Twitter account of Viejas Arena posted an announcement at 6:19 p.m. local time to apparently attempt to calm the situation outside the venue.

"The Viejas Arena has reached maximum capacity," read the tweet, which has since been deleted. "We are no longer allowing new visitors entrance into the venue. We appreciate your understanding. Go Aztecs!!

According to a log posted to the San Diego State University Police Department's website, the department responded Monday night for several area and building checks in the surrounding area around the arena.

"We are appalled by the behavior of a number of individuals who chose to access Viejas Arena gates, disregarding the direction of security officials, to access the venue after it reached capacity," SDSU police said in a statement emailed to USA TODAY Sports. "In coordination with local law enforcement partners, UPD deployed additional units to manage crowd control at Viejas Arena as well as two businesses located on College Avenue due to large numbers of individuals attempting to enter the locations."

Police added that "the actions of a few should not and do not take away from the many who are celebrating safely" and said there were no reports of property damage and that no arrests were made.

According to the Daily Aztec, watch parties were held for the men's Sweet 16 and Final Four games.

The site of the Aztec men's and women's home basketball games, Viejas Arena lists a maximum capacity of 12,414.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SDSU fans push through gates at watch party for men's final vs. UConn