Spectrum Magic Personified In Utah State’s Nail-Biting Win Over Boise State

LOGAN, Utah – Utah State Basketball was pushed to its limits by conference rival Boise State in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Saturday.

The game was full of lead changes and adversity for both teams. It came down to the final minute but a four-point play game-winner from Ian Martinez showed the Broncos what Spectrum Magic is all about.

Martinez ended as Utah State’s leading scorer with 18. Five Aggies reach double figures on the night.

With the win, USU keeps its undefeated record in conference play and improves to 16-1 overall. They will hit the road for their next game against the UNLV Rebels on Wednesday, January 15.

DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK!!!!!!#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/MlRpG83c1K

— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 12, 2025

Utah State Basketball Remains Perfect In Conference Play

The Aggies got out to a fast start and took the early advantage with some strong drives to the rim.

Deyton Albury and Aubin Gateretse each got two easy looks at the rim to get the USU offense started.

SPECTRUM MADNESS😤‼️

⚡️ @Aubinoooo #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/7tlHi7kr8J

— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 12, 2025

While the Aggies got downhill to start the game, the Broncos did the opposite. 12 of their first 14 points came from downtown. With the game tied at 16 through eight minutes, the Spectrum knew it was in for a show.

The next few minutes were filled with scores and responses. The largest lead in the first half was six points for Boise State. Even that lead was quickly cut down by a 5-0 Utah State run.

The Broncos went back up by six with a minute left. A Karson Templin layup left the score at 38-34 going into the break.

Deyton Albury could do no wrong in the first 20. He was the Aggies’ leading scorer with 11 points on perfect 4/4 shooting from the field.

20 minutes left to fight‼️#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/YuG9ESy8HK

— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 12, 2025

The second half was neck and neck. However, Boise State gave the Aggies fans a good scare out of the break.

The Broncos opened the half on a 9-0 run and led by 13 after two minutes.

Finally, Albury drove to the rack and dropped in a layup plus a foul to put some wind back in the sails of the ranked Aggies.

Two minutes turned into five minutes and Utah State still trailed by double digits. Led by Mason Falslev and Dexter Akanno, the Aggies went on an 18-9 run to close the Broncos’ lead down to just one with 10 minutes left in regulation.

Once again at a one-score game, the Aggies and Broncos went right back to trading blows.

Off of a Drake Allen three, Utah State led 68-65 with six minutes left. Boise State quickly tied it up again on their next possession.

IAN. MARTINEZ. 😤😤😤 pic.twitter.com/QFDt8T1JYu

— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 12, 2025

With 2:30 on the clock and the score knotted at 72-72, things started to get real interesting in Logan.

Two straight Boise State layups with no USU response forced an Aggie timeout. Facing a four-point deficit with 90 seconds left, they needed some magic.

Ian Martinez stepped up in the clutch once again and drilled a three-pointer out of the timeout to make it a one-point game again.

An 0/2 trip to the free throw line from the Broncos was all Utah State needed. Allen took it to the rack for two and the Herd exploded as the Aggies took the lead with 30 seconds.

The game was still far from over though. Alvaro Cardenas took all of the air out of the building with another make from deep to put Boise State back out in front.

Utah State called its last timeout and drew up a play. Although anxiety was at an all-time high in the arena, Spectrum Magic is a real thing.

Martinez came off of a down screen and pulled up from the top of the key. After five bounces on the rim and a blown whistle from the ref, the ball trickled in to the tune of thousands of cheering Aggies fans.

A 4-POINT PLAY GAME-WINNER FOR @USUBasketball😱

(via @CBSSportsCBB) pic.twitter.com/wgGYcIUdKd

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) January 12, 2025

A missed three from Boise State on the other end sealed the deal as Utah State held on for a two-point home victory, 81-79.

Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.

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