USU dismantles Utah Tech in offensive showcase

USU defeated the Utah Tech Trailblazers 118-95 in an offensive masterclass by the Aggies. Five different players for the Aggies finished with double-digit scoring on the night, while only giving up two turnovers in the process. 

The opening five minutes of the night were the most competitive of the night, with Utah Tech holding a 10-8 lead five minutes into the game. After a sluggish start, USU found their stride following a media timeout at the 15-minute mark.

Out of the timeout, Dallin Hall would find Mason Falslev cutting under the net for a wide-open layup, starting what would become a 15-4 run for the Aggies. Once the offense took off, it never came back down. Falslev would finish the first half with 17 points, and Hall would finish with 14.

“Our team, we really pride ourselves on being unselfish and making the right basketball play, but also playing with a lot of confidence and aggression. As the point guard, it’s my job to get guys their spots, get them looks, get them shots, as well as be aggressive myself,” Hall said. “The more efficient I can be, the more it’s going to require defenses to adjust on how they guard us, and I think it’ll just open up more opportunities for my teammates.”

To close out the half, the Aggies would outscore the Trailblazers 43-25, giving them a 53-35 lead as they entered the half. Not only were the Aggies taking advantage of their possessions to close the half, but they forced four turnovers to keep the ball out of Utah Tech’s hands.

Out of the half, the Aggies jumped out and scored four quick points to bring the lead up to 20 . Straight out of the locker room, the team’s offense started out red hot. Solomon Callaghan made three straight three-pointers to help the Aggies extend the lead. The team as a whole would catch fire; at one point the team made nine straight baskets.

“It’s a lot of fun when we’re sharing the ball and guys are getting open looks. But just that brand of basketball where the ball’s being shared, we’re getting to the paint, spraying it out to shooters,” Hall said. “That’s a really fun brand of basketball and a very efficient brand, and I think that’s why you saw the success on the offensive end that we had in the second half.”

The entire second half was all Aggies, outscoring the Trailblazers by 14 points in the half. At one point, the Aggies would lead by 42 points. In the closing minutes of the game, Utah Tech would bring it back after a few made threes closed the gap, but it was too little, too late. 

The night would be highlighted by the performance of Hall, who would finish the night with 35 points and seven assists. His 35 points were a new career record, shattering his previous career high of 23. On the night, Hall would shoot 7-for-9 from three, and 12-for-16 from the field. 

“Dallin was just terrific. He turns the corner, and he feels help or a defender commit. He’s going to pass it he’s going to make the next right play, and he’s going to help guys get easier shots,” head coach Ben Jacobsen said. “He’s a really really good basketball player, and he puts in a ton of time, he really wants it. I’m happy for him to to have a fun night like he had.”

In addition to Hall, Falslev would finish with 24 points, Callaghan with 18, and Kingston Tosi would score 15, all helping to secure the victory. The win was also Jacobsen’s 400th career victory. The team would also only have two turnovers on the night. 

The Aggies next matchup will be Friday night against UC San Diego at 8:00 PM.