Three-Point Shooting Leads Utah State Past Air Force

Jan 25, 2025, 4:04 PM | Updated: Jan 27, 2025, 11:11 am

Digital Sports Producer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado—Sixteen threes and a stifling second-half defense led Utah State to an overpowering 87-58 win over Air Force. USU shot 51.6 percent from deep and forced 16 turnovers, exerting its will in the final 20 minutes.

The Aggies (18-2, 8-1) faced the Air Force Falcons (3-17, 0-9) in a matinee matchup on Saturday, January 25.

Another road 𝓦‼️#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/J6ETG4QO6d

— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 25, 2025

A balanced attack led to six Aggies scoring at least eight points and four reaching double-figures. Ian Martinez led the way with 16 points on four threes. Isaac Johnson went 4-of-6 from deep for 12 points. Mason Falslev added 11 points, a team-high eight boards, five assists, and forced three steals on the defensive end.

Tucker Anderson finished with 10 points and two blocks. Dexter Akanno chipped in a trio of triples for nine points. Utah State had eight blocks and ten steals as a team.

11 of 12 Aggies that played scored a point. Freshman Jordy Barnes was the only player held scoreless, though he added six assists and a steal in 22 productive minutes.

First Half

Three free throws represented the only scoring in the first 90 seconds. USU guard Deyton Albury ended the field goal drought with a driving layup to take a 4-1 lead.

Utah State led 10-6 after back-to-back threes from Mason Falslev and Ian Martinez.

Might wanna guard him 🤷‍♂️@mason_falslev pic.twitter.com/EPm7of6bOj

— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 25, 2025

Air Force went scoreless for 2:34, leading to a 12-6 deficit at the first media timeout.

The lead grew to 12 after Isaac Johnson hit the Aggie’s fourth three of the half.

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With the three ball falling in bunches and its defense hounding the Falcons, Utah State’s lead grew to 29-12 with nine minutes left. USU made 7-of-11 threes (63.6 percent), with Dexter Akanno, Martinez, and Johnson hitting two each.

Big fish with the big splash 🌊

That's a 14-0 Aggie run!@Isaac_Johnson33 pic.twitter.com/Rb8j4EAZqn

— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 25, 2025

The Aggies added nine points off four Air Force turnovers during the same stretch.

Four threes from Air Force leading scorer Ethan Taylor kept the Falcons within striking distance.

Utah State led 34-24 with 3:57 left.

𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐄. ❌@TuckoA12 pic.twitter.com/vpgeOvgteu

— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 25, 2025

Air Force cut the deficit to six, but Karson Templin hit the Aggie’s tenth three to give them a 42-33 halftime lead.

The 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠 by Drake, the 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙥𝙡𝙚 by Tucker pic.twitter.com/mwc88zDOqI

— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 25, 2025

Eight Utah State players scored in the opening half, with nobody scoring more than nine. USU went 10-of-19 from deep.

Second Half

Both teams came out of the break slowly. Akanno’s third three gave the Aggies a 50-40 lead.

Minutes later, Aubin Gateretse threw down a vicious transition slam before finishing the three-point play the old-fashioned way. The freebie gave USU a 63-47 lead.

RELATED: Utah State Falls Out Of Latest AP Top 25 Poll

🇧🇪🇧🇪🇧🇪@Aubinoooo pic.twitter.com/X4V886peav

— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 25, 2025

Utah State’s defense took control in the middle portion of the half. Air Force went scoreless for nearly five minutes, allowing the Aggies to take control with a 13-0 run.

USU led 67-47 with 8:22 to play.

That's a 1⃣3⃣-0⃣ Aggie run! pic.twitter.com/drpsS89v5c

— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 25, 2025

The lead ballooned to 24 when a Falslev steal turned into a transition lob that Martinez finished with authority.

The Aggies had their way offensively, hitting 12-of-20 (60 percent) shots while outscoring Air Force 36-21 in the first 17 minutes of the second half.

Utah State cruised to an 87-58 win.