LOGAN, Utah — Behind a career-high 25 points from redshirt freshman guard Mason Falslev, No. 22 Utah State men's basketball christened Stew Morrill Court with an 80-61 victory over Boise State inside the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum Saturday night. USU captured its 20th victory of the campaign, sweeping the season series with the Broncos for the first time since the 2010-11 season.
Graduate guard Darius Brown II totaled 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists, while redshirt sophomore center Isaac Johnson tallied 14 points, three rebounds and an assist. Junior wing Great Osobor recorded his 11th double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Falslev got the Aggies (20-4, 8-3 MW) off to a quick start, scoring USU's first six points to boost USU to an early 6-2 lead in the first 45 seconds. Boise State (16-8, 7-4 MW) responded with an 8-2 run over the next minute and a half to take a 13-10 lead. Utah State reclaimed the lead on a 13-0 run behind 3-pointers from Falslev and senior guard Ian Martinez to get an early double-digit lead, 23-13. The Aggies maintained their advantage over the closing nine minutes of the first half to head to the locker room with a 41-30 edge.
At halftime, Utah State held a ceremony naming the court inside the Spectrum after USU's most-winning head coach Stew Morrill. Morrill addressed the crowd and thanked his family, former players and Utah State for the honor. Morrill's signature is now proudly displayed under the U-State logo at midcourt.
In the second half, the Aggies would never lead by less than 10 as they cruised to an 80-61 victory. USU led by as much as 20, 75-55, behind sharp shooting from the perimeter as Brown, Johnson and Falslev drained five triples over five minutes midway through the half. Osobor punctuated the game with a dunk and a layup to give fans in attendance free frozen custard as the Aggies totaled 80 points.
Utah State shot 51.8 percent (29-of-56) from the field, 42.9 percent (9-of-21) from 3-point ranges and 65.0 percent (13-of-20) at the free-throw line.
Boise State was led by junior forward Tyson Degenhart who logged 17 points, eight rebounds and two assists in the loss. The Broncos shot 35.6 percent (21-of-59) from the field, 24.1 percent (7-of-29) from downtown and 70.6 percent (12-of-17) at the charity stripe.
The Aggies next visit Wyoming on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at 8 p.m. The game will be nationally broadcast on FS1.
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).