LOGAN, Utah – Utah State men's basketball (10-0, 1-0 MW) made history Saturday afternoon in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, becoming the first Aggie team to ever open a season 10-0. USU took down South Florida 88-67 to remain unbeaten for the best start in program history. 
 
Sophomore guard Mason Falslev stole the show in the victory, falling just shy of the fourth triple-double in school history as he went for 27 points, nine rebounds, a career-high nine assists and three steals. 
 
Falslev's nine assists were part of a strong team offensive effort. As a team, Utah State capitalized on outstanding ball movement, registering 27 assists on 32 made baskets in the contest. Three different players recorded five-plus assists, as Falslev was joined by graduate guard Drake Allen and fifth year guard Ian Martinez, who dished out seven and five, respectively. 
 
The Aggies got off to a sluggish offensive start, making just one of their first nine shots from the field to face an early 7-2 deficit, but corrected course as they connected on 14-of-27 shots the rest of the way in the half. USU took control while forcing 10 first-half turnovers, seeing its lead stretched to as many as 14 points. An 8-0 South Florida run before the break trimmed that lead down to 37-31 at the half. 
 
Nearly everything went Utah State's way in the second half as the Aggies dominated the final 20 minutes, shooting 60.7 percent (17-of-28) from the floor including 16-of-18 on 2-point shots. USU out-scored the Bulls 51-36 in the half on its way to victory.
 
USU also handily controlled the battle in the paint, scoring 52 points down low while limiting USF to just 28. This was the second-best performance in the paint by the Aggies so far this season. Along with efficient offense, the Aggies took care of business on the defensive end, forcing 22 turnovers with 12 steals. 
 
Joining Falslev in double-figures in the scoring column were Martinez, who scored 15 points, sophomore forward Karson Templin, who went for 12, and senior forward Aubin Gatereste, who had 11. 
 
In total, Utah State shot 50.0 percent (32-of-64) from the floor, 26.1 percent (6-of-23) from behind the 3-point arc and 85.7 percent (18-of-21) at the free throw line. South Florida finished the night shooting 46.2 percent (24-of-52) from the field, 36.8 percent (7-of-19) from 3-point range and 80.0 percent (12-of-15) from the free throw line.
 
UP NEXT
Utah State will remain at home to conclude a four-game homestand on Tuesday, Dec. 17, as it hosts UC San Diego at 7 p.m., at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. 
 
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FOLLOW
For more information on Utah State's men's basketball program, follow the Aggies on Facebook at usumensbasketball, on Twitter at @usubasketball and on Instagram at @usubasketball. Fans can also watch USU men's basketball highlights by visiting youtube.com/utahstateathletics.
 
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