Utah State Aggies Secure Statement Victory Over Iowa Hawkeyes
Kansas City, MO – In a highly anticipated matchup, the Utah State Aggies delivered a powerful statement win on Friday night, defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes 77-69, and improving their record to a perfect 5-0 under new head coach Jerrod Calhoun.
The Aggies showcased an impressive scoring prowess throughout the season, averaging 104 points per game in their first four victories. However, those wins came against teams from lesser conferences and a rescheduled matchup against Charlotte, making Friday’s encounter with the Big Ten’s Iowa an important litmus test.
In front of a neutral crowd, Utah State initially led for much of the first half but found themselves trailing by four at halftime. Nevertheless, they displayed resilience, answering a second-half surge from Iowa, highlighted by a crucial 9-0 run that shifted momentum in their favor after the Hawkeyes had briefly pulled ahead.
Mason Falslev was the standout performer, scoring 25 points and securing 12 rebounds, while both Ian Martinez and Tucker Anderson contributed significantly with combined efforts of 23 points and solid defense. The Aggies controlled the boards, outrebounding Iowa 47-31, and dominated fast break points, scoring 21 to Iowa’s four.
This victory not only improves Utah State’s season record but also serves as a significant confidence booster as they prepare for their upcoming Thanksgiving Day game against St. Bonaventure at Disney World. Meanwhile, Iowa, considered a potential NCAA Tournament team, falls to 5-1 on the season as they regroup for future challenges.
The Aggies have certainly made their mark, and as they look ahead, expectations continue to rise for this impressive squad.
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Photo credit www.deseret.com
