MORAGA, California – Utah State men's basketball (11-1, 1-0 MW) got back in the win column Sunday night, closing out non-conference play with a 75-68 win over Saint Mary's at the UCU Pavilion in Moraga. This was the first true road game of the year for the Aggies, and the start of a three-game road trip. 
 
The Aggies led nearly wire-to-wire in this one, using efficient shooting and a strong effort on the glass to secure the victory. 
 
Utah State came out of the gates strong, using hot shooting from sophomore forward Karson Templin to open up an early advantage. After trading leads on each of the game's first five baskets, a 13-2 run sparked by back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers from Templin put Utah State out front 17-7. 
 
The Gaels punched back with a run of their own to narrow the Aggie lead to as little as one point, but Utah State scored 16 of the final 20 points in the first half to take a 39-27 advantage into the locker room. Leading USU at the half in the scoring column was senior forward Aubin Gateretse, who had 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including four dunks.
 
In the second half, it was more of the same. Utah State maintained a double-digit lead through much of the half, stretching its advantage to as many as 17 points after a personal 6-0 run by freshman guard Jordy Barnes. That run was quickly countered with seven-straight Saint Mary's points to cut the lead back to 10 with 7:30 remaining. 
 
Saint Mary's didn't go away quietly, scoring 10 points in the final two-and-a-half minutes, but USU maintained control until the final buzzer to get back in the win column. 
 
Four Aggies reached double-figures in the scoring column, led by an 18-point, five rebound effort from sophomore guard Mason Falslev. Templin finished the night with 13 points, while fifth year guard Ian Martinez scored 11 and Gateretse went for 10. 
 
Against a Saint Mary's squad which entered the night ranked 11th in the nation in rebound margin at +10.8, Utah State had a 31-27 advantage on the glass, led by a seven rebound effort from graduate guard Dexter Akanno. The Aggies also dominated in the paint, out-scoring the Gaels 40-22 down low. 
 
In total, 23 of USU's 30 baskets were assisted on, with a team-best five helpers coming from Martinez. 
 
Utah State shot 58.8 percent (30-of-51) from the floor, 35.3 percent 6-of-17) from behind the 3-point arc and 81.8 percent (9-of-11) at the free throw line. Saint Mary's finished the night shooting 44.4 percent (24-of-54) from the field, 40.0 percent (10-of-25) from 3-point range and 52.6 percent (10-of-19) from the free throw line.
 
UP NEXT
Utah State will now play part two of its three-game road trip as the Aggies travel to San Diego, California, to face San Diego State on Saturday, Dec. 28, at 4 p.m. (MT). The game will be broadcast on FOX. 
 
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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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