Utah State Basketball Dominates San Jose State in 96-78 Victory

In a thrilling showdown at The Spectrum, the Utah State basketball team showcased their strength and resilience, defeating San Jose State with a final score of 96-78. This win marks an impressive 12-1 record for the Aggies this season, highlighting their ability to adapt and perform under pressure.

MJ Collins was the standout performer of the game, scoring 23 points. However, it was freshman Elijah Perryman who stole the spotlight, delivering a double-double that has not been seen from a USU freshman since 2019. Perryman contributed 13 points and 10 assists while only committing a single turnover. His performance was instrumental in the team’s success.

“I didn’t even know how many assists I had at the time, I was just focused on winning the game,” Perryman shared after the match.

Perryman was one of five Aggies to reach double-figures in the scoring column, alongside Collins, Mason Falslev (17 points), Garry Clark (16), and Karsen Templin (13). Collins achieved his seventh 20-plus point game of the season, adding four rebounds and two steals to his stat line.

Head coach Jerrod Calhoun praised the team’s balanced approach, stating, “I thought the first half our offense carried us, and I thought the second half it was the defense the last 15 minutes of the game carried us. But that’s the sign of a really good team. You win with a lot of different ways of offense, defense. We had three kids off our bench step up. They listened what we told them the effort was better and then the execution was phenomenal.”

Strong Performance in MWC Opener

The Aggies’ victory over San Jose State was not without its challenges. Despite finishing with an 18-point win, the game remained competitive for much of the time, as San José State used their blistering shooting from 3-point range to stay close for over 30 minutes. The Spartans connected on nine of their first 13 triples, keeping pace with an Aggie offense that scored 48 points and committed just four turnovers in the first half.

After 20 minutes, SJSU took a 51-48 lead into the locker room. However, the Aggies quickly responded in the second half, reclaiming the lead and never looking back. While the Spartans struggled to maintain their first-half shooting efficiency, Utah State improved on an already impressive offensive performance, shooting 67 percent from the floor and 50 percent from deep in the final 20 minutes.

In addition to Perryman and Collins, three other players reached double-figures. Junior guard Mason Falslev added 17 points, along with four rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block. Senior forward Garry Clark finished with 16 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting, including five boards, an assist, a steal, and two blocks. Junior forward Karson Templin tallied 13 points, a team-high seven rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block.

Key Statistics and Team Efforts

Utah State’s dominance down low was a key factor in their victory, as they out-scored the Spartans 52-28 in the paint. The Aggies also held a 30-26 advantage on the glass, including 10 offensive rebounds that led to 17 second-chance points.

The team recorded just eight turnovers on the day and dished out 20 assists on 34 made baskets. Overall, Utah State shot 63.0 percent (34-of-54) from the floor, 41.2 percent (7-of-17) from 3-point range, and 80.8 percent (21-of-26) at the free throw line. San José State managed to shoot 44.6 percent (25-of-56) from the field, 50.0 percent (10-of-20) from behind the arc, and 81.8 percent (18-of-22) at the free throw line.

Looking Ahead

With this victory, the Aggies continue their strong start to the season. Their next challenge comes against Air Force, as they travel to face the Falcons Tuesday night. Fans can look forward to more exciting performances from a team that continues to show their depth and determination on the court.