Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Everything seemed to be working for No. 22 Utah State in a 90-70 road finale victory over San Jose State Wednesday night.
"It's kind of one of those feelings that's hard to explain as a coach, but I knew we were going to play terrific tonight," Aggies coach Danny Sprinkle said. "Our guys were so locked in. They had a team meeting, and it was a players-only deal. I knew the ownership of this group, I knew we were going to play at a high level tonight."
The Aggies cruised to an early 16-point lead as they scored 53 first-half points on an uncharacteristic 9-of-14 3-point shooting performance. Though the Spartans didn't allow the Aggies to extend their lead much in the second half, the Aggies maintained the advantage to secure their 25th win of the season.
The victory moves the Aggies to 13-4 in conference play, placing them in sole possession of first place in the Mountain West and officially clinching at least a share of the regular season Mountain West title. UNLV, Boise State, and Nevada sit below the Aggies at 12-5 in conference play.
Should the Aggies win their final game against New Mexico at home Saturday, they will claim their first-ever outright Mountain West regular season title.
"It's a tremendous accomplishment," Sprinkle said of his team's position in the Mountain West. "We have so much respect for the Mountain West Conference. These guys, they weren't even celebrating in the locker room. I think it shows a kind of maturity, it shows what they're about. They know what they want on Saturday."
Several Aggies players had a hot hand in the high-scoring win. Four players scored 15 points or more: Darius Brown II (21 points), Mason Falslev (20), Great Osobor (16), and Javon Jackson (15). Those players shot a combined 14-of-18 from beyond the arc.
Brown, who also had nine assists and five rebounds, started the game going 6-of-6 from 3-point range. He ultimately finished 7-of-9 from deep — and some of those seven made shots were from well behind the line.
"He's unbelievable," Sprinkle said of the graduate guard.
Jackson, who came off the bench, added an impressive 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting from 3-point range.
Falslev, who finished with 20 points, six rebounds, and three assists, left the game with a few minutes remaining after appearing to roll his ankle on an effort play. Sprinkle said he was able to walk on it better in the locker room after the game.
Overall, the Aggies finished with 23 assists on 31 made field goals and turned the ball over just four times.
It was a long-awaited complete team performance that came at the perfect time for Sprinkle and his team ahead of a chance to claim the outright Mountain West regular season title and an appearance in two tournaments with national implications that cannot be overstated.
