Utah State turns pace and precision into statement win over Memphis

Utah State Men’s Basketball answered a rare February nonconference test and pulled away from Memphis for a 99-75 win on Feb. 14 at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

Facing a Memphis team built on size and defensive pressure, the Aggies flipped the matchup by limiting mistakes and punishing the Tigers in transition. Utah State finished with 22 assists and just nine turnovers, turning defensive rebounds and empty Memphis possessions into a steady stream of fastbreak points as the game wore on.

Head coach Jerrod Calhoun framed the game as both an opportunity and a necessity for a mid-major program measured by precision.

“First of all, I think Memphis — you guys saw the amount of talent they have,” Calhoun said. “Give coach [Penny Hardaway] a ton of credit. He’ll play anybody, anywhere, anytime. A lot of times, we can’t get those games. So, when this thing fell into place and he wanted to play it later in the year, we really liked that date.”

Memphis arrived in Logan with one of the tallest rosters Utah State has seen all season and made that presence felt early, especially on the offensive glass. The Tigers collected 18 offensive rebounds and leaned on their physicality to keep the game close through the first half. However, those extra chances rarely translated into sustained momentum. When Memphis failed to convert around the rim, Utah State responded by pushing the pace and attacking before the defense could set.

The turning point came late in the first half. After a brief Memphis push, Utah State brought in a smaller lineup and strung together a decisive run by speeding the game up and forcing the Tigers to defend in space.

The Aggies closed the half with a flurry of transition baskets and perimeter movement, taking a 48-34 lead into the break and shifting the tone of the game.

“Last couple games, we went to that small lineup, and that’s what the game needed,” Calhoun said. “I thought Kolby [King] and that group of guys that played together in that stretch were tremendous. They’re quicker to the ball than the first group sometimes.”

Their rhythm carried into the second half. Utah State scored on its opening possessions after halftime and steadily widened the gap as Memphis struggled to generate consistent offense against a set defense. The Aggies repeatedly turned miscues and rebounds into points, finishing with 21 points off turnovers and 42 points in the paint, a notable number against a defense designed to protect the rim.

Karson Templin anchored Utah State on both ends, finishing efficiently inside and drawing fouls at a high rate, while the Aggies’ guards consistently collapsed the defense and found shooters and cutters. Utah State’s ball movement wore down Memphis’ pressure, leading to open looks and easy finishes as the lead ballooned in the final 10 minutes.

Templin said Utah State recognized opportunities inside despite Memphis’ size.

“I think we knew they were vulnerable down low,” Templin said. “They got a lot of 7-footers, but you give them a shot fake and put them in the air, they’re pretty undisciplined, and we just made reads offensively.”

The Aggies’ guards also controlled the game. First-year Elijah Perryman recorded nine assists, and the small-ball group provided defensive activity that flipped possessions and tempo. Utah State finished with 21 points off turnovers and 42 points in the paint, a notable output against a defense built to protect the rim.

“That pressure is real,” Calhoun said of Memphis. “So, Perryman … to get nine assists in one turnover as a freshman … we don’t win that game without Elijah Perryman. Let’s call it like it is.”

The night also featured frequent whistles — 44 combined fouls and 70 free throws — but Utah State remained composed, converting at the line and continuing to attack rather than settling for jump shots.

For the Aggies, the win carried added meaning in a season where margins are thin for programs outside the power conferences.