LOGAN, Utah – In a nonconference showdown between two of the nation's premiere mid-major programs, Utah State men's basketball came out with a decisive victory over Memphis Saturday night at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, winning 99-75.
Three Aggie players scored 20-plus points as the Aggies matched the highest scoring output by a Memphis opponent this season. Leading the way in the scoring column for USU was senior guard MJ Collins Jr., who posted his 12th 20-plus point outing of the season with 23 points, three rebounds and four assists. After missing his first four shots from the field, Collins Jr. made 10-straight to finish the night 10-of-14.
Junior forward Karson Templin came off the bench to go for a career-best 20 points, along with four rebounds, an assist, a steal and two blocks in 25 minutes of action, while going a perfect 10-of-10 at the free throw line. Junior guard Mason Falslev once again filled the stat sheet with 20 points, a team-high six rebounds, two assists and a steal.
It took a while for Utah State to separate from the Tigers, as it made just six of its first 23 shots in a first half which was a near deadlock for 16 minutes. Neither side led by more than five points while there were 12 lead changes during that span before the Aggies blew things open. USU closed the half on a 24-7 run to take a 48-34 advantage into the break.
The hot shooting for Utah State continued into the second half. Spanning the halves, the Aggies made 19 of their 22 shots to take a 21-point lead by the midway point of the second half. While the Tigers narrowed the gap back to 13, a 13-2 run in the final minute-and-a-half put an exclamation point on the win for USU.
The Aggies capitalized on excellent ball movement throughout, as they finished with 22 assists on 31 made baskets with just nine turnovers. Freshman guard Elijah Perryman played a massive role in his 27 minutes off the bench, finishing just shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine assists, while also recording four steals.
Against a Memphis defense which ranked as one of the best in the country entering the contest, Utah State shot 53 percent from the field, scored 99 points, totaled just nine turnovers and scored 42 points in the paint.
In total, Utah State shot 52.5 percent (31-of-59) from the floor, 35.7 percent (10-of-28) from 3-point range and 75.0 percent (27-of-36) at the charity stripe. Memphis shot 36.7 percent (22-of-60) from the field, 22.2 percent (4-of-18) from behind the arc and 79.4 percent (27-of-34) at the free throw line.
UP NEXT
Utah State will remain in Logan to wrap up a three-game homestand next week as it hosts Boise State on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Tip-off is slated for 8:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on FS1.
TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2025-26 men's basketball season have sold out. Fans can purchase single game tickets for available remaining games here. A waitlist for 2026-27 season tickets is now available here.
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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