FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Utah State men's basketball (24-6, 14-5 MW) dropped its regular season road finale on Saturday afternoon at Moby Arena in Fort Collins, losing to Colorado State 93-66. With the loss, the Aggies split the regular season series with CSU.
The Rams pounced early in a dominant start to the contest, scoring the first 10 points of the afternoon. CSU made nine of its first 12 shots from the floor and eight of its first nine triples to out-score the Aggies by 26 in the first half. On the flip side, Utah State made just three of its first 17 shots and didn't hit a 3-pointer until there were seven minutes left in the half.
The USU offense, which entered the game averaging a league-best 18 assists per game, was held without a single helper in the first 20 minutes of action. USU shot just 27 percent (7-of-26) from the field, while the Rams shot 65 percent (17-of-26) in the first half. Each side took 10 3-pointers, CSU made eight while Utah State made two. At the break, Colorado State led 48-22.
The Aggies came out of the break with a new energy, opening the second half on a 7-0 run to cut into the deficit, but the Rams countered with a 14-2 run of their own. USU put up a fight in the second 20, … scoring 44 points to Colorado State's 45, but ultimately the poor first half proved too much to overcome.
Utah State was led in scoring by fifth year guard
Ian Martinez, who scored in double-figures for the 33rd-straight game, finishing with 17 points to go along with two rebounds, an assist, a block and three steals.
Other double-figure scorers for USU included senior guard
Deyton Albury, who went for 12 points, and freshman guard
Jordy Barnes, who scored a career-high 11 points. Utah State's bench accounted for 32 of the team's 66 points.
Utah State finished the game shooting 42.6 percent (23-of-54) from the floor, 33.3 percent (7-of-21) from behind the 3-point arc and 81.3 percent (13-of-16) from the free throw line. Colorado State shot 58.2 percent (32-of-55) from the field, including 66.7 percent (14-of-21) from 3-point range and 93.8 percent (15-of-16) at the charity stripe.
UP NEXT
Utah State will now have a mid-week bye, before hosting Air Force in its regular season finale next Saturday, March 8. Tip off is set for 2 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on KMYU and streamed on Mountain West Network.
TICKETS
There are a limited number of tickets available for all remaining home games. To purchase visit utahstateaggies.com/tickets.
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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