Utah State Crushes Air Force On Senior Night
Mar 8, 2025, 3:59 PM | Updated: Mar 10, 2025, 11:53 am
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State never trailed in a get-right game to close the regular season against the Air Force Falcons, pulling away for an 87-47 win.
The Aggies (25-6, 15-5) hosted Air Force (4-27, 1-19) at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Saturday, March 7.
𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗨𝗕😤#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/S9V7DzLrqz
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) March 8, 2025
Aubin Gateretse, one of three seniors honored by Utah State after the game, finished the day with eight points and three rebounds without missing a shot. Dexter Akanno ended the final home game of his college career with ten points, two rebounds, and an assist. Akanno hit a late three to surpass the 1,000-point plateau in his career.
Career point number 1⃣0⃣0⃣0⃣ for Dexter Akanno‼️ pic.twitter.com/8N30LfroE5
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) March 8, 2025
The final senior to leave the court was fan-favorite Ian Martinez. The former Utah Ute and Maryland Terrapin ended his Spectrum career with 14 points, five boards, and three assists.
Mason Falslev led all scorers with 18 points, going 8-of-10 from the floor. The Benson, Utah, product also led his team with seven rebounds and four assists.
First Half
Utah State won the opening tip and immediately erased any memory of a horrific performance against Colorado State when Deyton Albury drilled a corner three.
Minutes later, Mason Faslev connected with Aubin Gateretse for a two-handed dunk. The throwdown gave the Aggies a 9-3 lead.
Blessing your timeline with an Aubin lob @Aubinoooo pic.twitter.com/HdrUtRoq15
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) March 8, 2025
The defense was buzzing and causing fits for the Falcons. Two turnovers and a 1-of-6 start helped USU build a 16-3 lead at the first media timeout. Air Force made its first shot before an 0-for-5 stretch helped Utah State go on a 13-0 run.
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Back-to-back threes from Ian Martinez and Jordy Barnes extended the advantage to 17.
JORD3 BARN3S@jordybarnes_2 pic.twitter.com/rRRxgfTxgM
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) March 8, 2025
The Aggies shot 71.4 percent (10-of-14) and made 4-of-6 from deep in the first ten minutes. Air Force made one two-point shot in the opening 13.
Another Falslev-to-Garetse lob gave USU a 33-14 lead with 6:30 left. Falslev started a perfect 5-of-5 from the field with three assists, three boards, and a steal, which led to a breakaway dunk.
LOOK OUT BELOW 👀@mason_falslev pic.twitter.com/WIeHJRXDG2
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) March 8, 2025
Air Force never settled in against Utah State’s pressure, turning the ball over ten times. The Aggies converted those giveaways into 13 points.
Almost impossible to beat when they shoot the ball well from three, USU made 66.7 percent (10-of-15) from beyond the arc in the first half.
Welcome to 𝓢𝓹𝓵𝓪𝓼𝓱 𝓥𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝔂@IanJumaine pic.twitter.com/ha2I7dCJoq
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) March 8, 2025
USU controlled the half to take a commanding 50-23 lead into the break.
Second Half
Air Force didn’t find any answers at halftime, allowing the Aggies to open the second period on a 10-3 run.
Ian's showing out on senior day 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CiOs9bUM7W
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) March 8, 2025
USU doubled up the Falcons, leading 68-34 after consecutive Tucker Anderson threes.
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Is there anything prettier than a @TuckoA12 triple? pic.twitter.com/dNyBSmRYND
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) March 8, 2025
Utah State kept the pressure on in the post, dominating the rebounding margin and post points throughout the afternoon.
A more than six-minute stretch without a field goal for Air Force allowed the Aggies to expand the lead with a 16-1 run. The Falcons committed five turnovers during the same period.
Dex with the feed, Mason with the hoop pic.twitter.com/8OJaHJ0trx
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) March 8, 2025
Utah State heads into the Mountain West Championships with momentum following an 87-47 win.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X and Instagram and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
