LOGAN, Utah — Behind a 31-point performance by junior wing Great Osobor, No. 17 Utah State men's basketball defeated San José State 82-61 on Tuesday night inside the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. USU head coach Danny Sprinkle collected his 100th career victory with the triumph.
Osobor was aided by graduate guard Darius Brown II, who posted his third double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard Ian Martinez put in 16 points on a perfect shooting night as he was 6-of-6 from the field, 4-of-4 from downtown.
In the first half, the Spartans built up a six-point lead over the first five minutes 13-7. The Aggies reclaimed the lead 17-15 with a 10-2 run over the next four minutes, including a 3-pointer by Martinez and dunks from junior guard Josh Uduje and junior forward Kalifa Sakho. After trading baskets, USU surged ahead 35-26, outscoring SJSU 16-7 over seven minutes. The Aggies went to the locker room with a 37-30 lead.
San José State would get as close as five points, 41-36, but Utah State pulled away with a 12-0 run starting three minutes into the second half to take control 53-36. From there, the Aggies converted 10 free throws in the final 12 minutes, including seven from Osobor on 11 attempts. Uduje added another highlight-reel dunk, and Brown and Martinez each drilled a 3-pointer to ice the game and give USU an 82-61 victory.
Utah State shot an even 60.0 percent (30-of-50) from the field, 50.0 percent (6-of-12) behind the arc and 69.6 percent (16-of-23) at the free-throw line.
San José State was led by junior guard MJ Amey Jr., who totaled 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists. The Spartans shot 39.3 percent (24-of-61) from the field, 21.7 percent (5-of-23) from 3-point range and 80.0 percent (8-of-10) at the charity stripe.
The Aggies next take on San Diego State on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 1:30 p.m. (MT) inside Viejas Arena. The game will be nationally broadcast on FOX.
Season tickets for the 2023-24 men's basketball season are on sale and can be purchased by visiting www.utahstateaggies.com or by calling the Utah State ticket office at 1-888-USTATE-1.
Utah State men's basketball news and information is available on Facebook (facebook.com/usumensbasketball), on Twitter (@usubasketball) and on Instagram (@usubasketball). Fans can also get USU men's basketball highlights on YouTube (youtube.com/utahstateathletics). Aggie fans can follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter (@usuathletics), on Facebook (facebook.com/usuathletics) or on Instagram (@usuathletics).
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