Utah State Basketball Succumbs To New Mexico Comeback In The Pit
Feb 16, 2025, 4:38 PM | Updated: Feb 18, 2025, 12:38 pm
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Utah State basketball fought hard for 40 minutes but came up short in a three-point loss to the New Mexico Lobos at The Pit on Sunday.
The Aggies led by 11 just after halftime but got outscored 49-35 in the final 19 minutes. Lobos guard Donovan Dent, the leading scorer in the Mountain West, finished with 21 but scored 12 of those in the second half which included some clutch buckets late.
The easiest stat to single out as a reason for the loss is fouls. USU was called for 27 fouls compared to 13 for New Mexico. This resulted in 19 more free throw attempts for the Lobos.
New Mexico retained its spot atop the conference with the win and is now 2-0 this season against Utah State.
Final from Albuquerque:
Utah State – 79
New Mexico – 82— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) February 16, 2025
Utah State Basketball Falls In Battle Of MW Powers
First Half
The Aggies and Lobos are both top-25 scoring teams in the nation. With a spot atop the Mountain West at stake in the Pit, it seemed safe to assume the game would be a competitive shootout.
Through the first 20 minutes, the product was almost a direct match to the projection.
Utah State shot much better from the field and from three at 46.4 and 38.5 percent respectively. However, New Mexico was able to keep it close with four more offensive rebounds and trips to the charity stripe.
They say what goes up … MUST come down!
Drake ⬆️ @IanJumaine ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ngHNHn2jcR
— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) February 16, 2025
Both Mason Falslev and Ian Martinez came out hot in the first half with 12 points each. The leading scorer for the Lobos was Dent with 11.
Just by looking at the first-half stats, you would wonder how USU didnt have a double-digit advantage at the break. It came down to defensive discipline and ultimately, fouls. Of the ten Aggies to hit the floor, six had two or more fouls.
The efficiency and stifling defense still proved to be too much for New Mexico as Utah State took a 42-36 lead into halftime.
20 down, 20 to go in ABQ!#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/2BIR3RP98l
— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) February 16, 2025
Second Half
It was a slow grind back for the Lobos in the second half but they got it done nonetheless.
Utah State opened the half with two quick buckets to increase the lead to 10. From there, New Mexico locked it down and went on a 17-6 run to take the lead back at 54-53 with 10 minutes left.
With the Pit bumping and all of the momentum on their side, every bucket made the arena louder and every defensive stop made the Aggies more desperate.
After a big three from Dent put New Mexico up five, the Aggies needed a break. Falslev gave them just that with a tough and-one finish at the cup.
New Mexico opened another run, this time 10-4 to go back up by eight with three minutes left. With their back against the wall, the Aggies answered. Ian Martinez drained back-to-back triples to tie the game at 76.
SEVEN-STRAIGHT POINTS! TIE BALL GAME IN ALBUQUERQUE! pic.twitter.com/s8b2ekqukH
— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) February 16, 2025
Unfortunately, yet another foul came back to bite USU. New Mexico hit 1/2 at the line and then made a three with the ball back to go up by four with less than 10 seconds left.
Falslev made it a one-point game with four seconds but it wasn’t enough as New Mexico escaped with an 82-79 win at home.
Following Utah State With KSL Sports Zone
Utah State will return home on Wednesday, February 19, for a rematch with the San Jose State Spartans (12-15, 5-10). Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. MT. On January 7, San Jose gave USU a good fight, but ultimately lost to the No. 25 Aggies, 85-78.
Listen to USU basketball games on the KSL Sports Zone with Scott Garrard on the call.
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