Horvath, USU dominate Air Force in MW tournament opener
LAS VEGAS — The referee’s whistle started off the Mountain West first-round tournament game for Utah State and Air Force at the Thomas & Mack Center, home of the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels.
USU came into the tournament clutching the seventh seed while Air Force held the tenth seed spot.
During the regular season the Aggies lost once to Falcons away on Dec. 29, 47-49 and won once at the Spectrum on Feb. 1, 73-46.
It’s also the first time that Utah State has ever played Air Force in a postseason game.
Ultimately, the game ended with the Aggies on top 83-56.
And not only were the Aggies favored to win by 14.5 points from Caesars Sportsbook, but they were also able to continue their winning streak in the first-round game of the tournament to 5-0.
They also stayed consistent with their lucky number 70, winning this and every game this season with at least 70 points.
Regardless, this wasn’t a game that was handed to them on a silver platter.
“It’s tough to game plan for these guys, they move a lot. But we thought if we could hold them down on defense, I can lead off with some transition plays,” Brandon Horvath, USU forward, said.
The beginning started out a little rocky and much like Utah’s weather—on and off. Although the Aggies brought high energy and fast pace, all that was showing was missed layups, airballs and frustration.
However, the Falcons failed to do any better. On their first possession of the game the shot clock expired and it seemed difficult to get points on the board.
The first points of the game came from basketball superstar and forward Justin Bean on two foul shots. In fact, the only points for either team came from foul shots for the first four minutes.
But everything started to change after Jones hit a deep three and kept the Aggies where they’re best at and where they like to be — in the lead.
Utah State gained momentum and Air Force started to react with foul after foul, ending with 10 personal team fouls in the first half.
Not even the Falcon’s cheerleaders “B-E-A-T beat the Aggies” chant could distract the Aggies from getting the W they were on a mission to get.
And although it seemed like Utah State remained in control, the Falcons also started to gain speed after a steal toward the end of the half.
But the Aggie energy could not be beat. Steven Ashworth immediately responded with a layup and the team’s offense and defense picked up a rhythm.
The halftime score read Utah State 38 and Air Force 27 making USU 14-6 for the season on leading at the half.
All of the players had learned from their mistakes by the second half though and moved quickly down the court from the get-go.
Horvath started out strong with the first basket. Air Force matches it and the claws and horns come out.
The score started to go back-and-forth for each team but Horvath started to flash some big smiles after two missed foul shots from the Falcons and his own and-1.
It was all an uphill battle for USU from there.
“We always focus on the goals of the game, you know? We prepare very well and we just stuck to the game plan,” Horvath said.
Horvath achieved his 13th straight double-figure scoring game as well as his third double-double this season and 14th double-double in his career.
Bean also began showing his true Aggie blue colors in the second half with 12 points within minutes.
Utah State’s lead only became more and more apparent as time went on with no signs of exhaustion.
And after what seemed like a final attempt from the Falcons for redemption by making a steal, the Aggies had no mercy taking the ball right back and Sean Bairstow making a huge splash with a dunk that sent the crowd wild.
With five minutes still remaining in the game, the look of defeat could already be seen in the eyes and actions of the Falcons.
Missed shot after missed shot for Air Force was responded with two three’s in a row for USU guard Max Shulga.
“It’s one thing to get clean looks, but you actually have to knock them in,” USU Head Coach Ryan Odom said after the game. “I was happy that our guys were able to put it through the hoop.”
Horvath led USU with 18 points and 12 rebounds, Bean followed with 16 points and four rebounds and Shulga led behind them with 11 points and four rebounds.
Utah State will now prepare to face the second seed, Colorado State, tomorrow night at 6:00p.m. PST in the quarterfinals.
“We had two pretty close games with them, one just a week and a half ago. They really did a nice job of finishing us off,” Odom said. “We know it’s going to be difficult but we’re excited that we’re going to have another opportunity.”
-@JaceeCaldwell
Featured photo by: Bailey Rigby