In a highly anticipated clash between the top two teams in the Mountain West Conference, Utah State men’s basketball suffered its third defeat of the season and its second in conference play, falling 82-63 to New Mexico. The sold-out Dee Glen Smith Spectrum crowd witnessed a game that started with promise for the Aggies but ultimately unraveled due to poor shooting, a dominant second-half performance by the Lobos, and struggles from the free-throw line.
A Strong Start Turns into a Second-Half Collapse
Utah State (19-3, 9-2 MW) took early control of the game, leading for over 16 minutes in the first half and entering halftime with a six-point advantage (36-30). The Aggies extended their lead to nine points early in the second half, appearing to have the momentum on their side. However, that advantage quickly vanished as New Mexico (18-4, 10-1 MW) responded with a decisive 10-0 run, taking their first lead since the nine-minute mark of the first half.
What followed was a staggering 24-5 run by the Lobos, flipping Utah State’s once-promising lead into a nine-point deficit within just seven minutes. The Aggies never recovered, suffering their first loss of the season by more than three points.
Shooting Woes and Rebounding Disparity
One of the key factors in Utah State’s downfall was their inefficiency from the field, particularly from three-point range and the free-throw line. The Aggies shot a dismal 16.1% (5-of-31) from beyond the arc, their worst performance from deep this season. Additionally, their struggles at the free-throw line (10-of-23, 43.5%) prevented them from capitalizing on opportunities to stop New Mexico’s momentum.
Rebounding also played a critical role in the Lobos’ victory. New Mexico dominated the glass with a 48-33 advantage, including 12 offensive rebounds that led to second-chance points. This was particularly evident in the second half, where the Lobos imposed their physicality and effort on the boards.
Standout Performances and Struggles
Despite the loss, graduate guard Drake Allen led Utah State with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three-point range. Senior guard Deyton Albury added 12 points, while fifth-year guard Ian Martinez and graduate guard Dexter Akanno each contributed 10 points. However, Martinez, who has been a key offensive force for Utah State, continued to struggle from the field, shooting 4-of-10 overall and missing all seven of his three-point attempts.
Additionally, sophomore guard Mason Falslev, the Aggies' second-leading scorer, had an off night, finishing with just four points on 2-of-8 shooting. Utah State’s leading rebounder was Falslev, who grabbed seven boards, while sophomore forward Karson Templin added six.
The Turning Point: Lobos' Dominance in the Second Half
New Mexico’s explosive second half proved to be the difference. After shooting just 39.3% in the first half, the Lobos turned up their efficiency in the final 20 minutes, shooting 56.7% from the field and 46.2% (6-of-13) from three-point range. Their aggressive play also earned them 27 free-throw attempts, of which they converted 70.4% (19-of-27).
Head coach Richard Pitino credited his team’s performance to their resilience and execution, particularly on defense and rebounding. “The second half was just phenomenal all around,” Pitino said. “Rebounding the basketball, plus-15. They were very, very physical. Shooting the basketball, 6-of-13 from 3 was great. Did a great job on free throws as well as guarding the 3-point line.”
The Lobos saw five players score in double figures, led by senior forward Mustapha Amzil (16 points), senior center Nelly Junior Joseph (15 points), junior guard Donovan Dent (14 points), sophomore guard Tru Washington (13 points), and senior guard CJ Noland (11 points). Their balanced offensive attack, combined with their rebounding dominance, overwhelmed the Aggies.
Utah State’s Response and Looking Ahead
For Utah State, the loss was not just a statistical setback but also a wake-up call. Head coach Jerrod Calhoun emphasized the need for mental toughness and improved execution. “I thought we had a lot of wide-open looks, but we had—by far—our worst shooting performance of the year,” Calhoun stated. “But you can’t let your offense dictate how you’re going to compete and how you’re going to play, and I thought we did that a little bit.”
The Aggies will now look to regroup as they hit the road for a two-game stretch, beginning with Wyoming on Tuesday, February 4. Wyoming (11-11, 4-7 MW) presents an opportunity for Utah State to bounce back and regain their confidence before heading into the final stretch of conference play. However, the Aggies must address their shooting inconsistencies and rebounding deficiencies if they hope to reclaim their position atop the Mountain West standings.
As Allen put it, “We need to let this one sting for a little bit. When you lose games like that, it hurts really bad, but we’re going to use it as motivation to bounce back.”
With the Mountain West title race still wide open, Utah State’s response in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining their postseason trajectory.
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