Utah State men's basketball blow by Colorado State in conference opener

It was the perfect storm for the Aggies on Stew Morrill Court Saturday afternoon.

The Utah State men's basketball team showed up ready to go, scoring the first 12 points of the game in its Mountain West Conference opener against Colorado State. Unlike a year ago at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, the Rams never recovered from being blitzed in the first half.

The Aggies just kept adding to their advantage in front of a sold out arena of 10,270 fans. USU recorded its largest-ever win against CSU in the 110th meeting, 100-58.

"We had a really good two or three days of practice, so we were ready for them," said Aggie guard Mason Falslev, who finished with a team-best 18 points. "I think that's the most we've ever played like a team together. I think everyone was doing their part. Sure, we had some ups and downs, but for the most part I think everyone bought into the team, and that's what we need."

When you shoot nearly 61 percent from the field in the first half and knock down 7 of 11 3-pointers, usually good things are happening. Add to that the opposing team misses its first seven shots, and it will most likely be a good day. That was how it went for the Aggies (10-1, 1-0 MW).

"I felt really good going into the game," USU head coach Jerrod Calhoun said. "I thought we had a great week of prep, and our kids played lights out. … I thought tonight, guys played their part, they played their role. They did that throughout the week, and they were rewarded for their hard work."

The Aggies were intense from the start and never really had a lull in the blowout, which snapped a five game winning streak by the Rams (9-3, 0-1). The win also halted a two-game winning streak in the series by the Rams.

"We knew that they were a 3-point shooting team, and our whole goal was to not let them back in the game by shooting threes," Falslev said. "Props to them, they did shoot the ball better than we wanted them to, but at the end of the day a win is a win."

Colorado State did lose its leading scorer just over four minutes into the game when forward Kyle Jorgensen went down holding a knee with USU up 12-0. He later returned on crutches. Jorgensen came into the game averaging 15.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists a game.

"First of all, I hope their big fella, Jorgensen, is okay," Calhoun said to begin the press conference. "He is, in my opinion, one of the most improved guys in the country, so things changed drastically, game plan wise, when he was out."

The Rams also came into the game leading the country in 3-point percentage at 44.7 percent and were one of the top field goal shooting teams as well at 54.3 percent. Colorado State shot 36.7 percent from the field and 30.4 percent from long range (7 of 23).

"It felt like last year all over again to start the game," CSU head coach Ali Farokhmanesh said. "I mean, that's what we talked about, not letting that happen. But a ton of credit to them (Aggies), they played well. … Two people had a say in this game, they had a big say in what was happening."

USU ended up shooting a season-best 63.8 percent from the field, as well as a season-best from 3-point range of 57.1 percent (12 of 21). The only area the Aggies struggled a bit was at the foul line, making 14 of 24 (58.3 percent).

"Tonight we really shared the ball and showed we can be one of the best defensive teams in the country," Calhoun said. "If we guard like that, we will have a shot."

Falslev had five teammates join him in double-digit scoring in MJ Collins Jr. (15), Adlan Elamin (career-high 15), Drake Allen (12), Karson Templin (10) and Kolby King (10). Garry Clark was close with eight points.

USU dominated the boards, winning that battle 40-20. King tied his career high with a game-best nine boards. Elamin had a career-high eight, and Clark had six.

"That's a pretty staggering difference in rebounding, 40 to 20," Calhoun said. "Credit to our guys. Adlan is a difference maker. Drake Allen was spectacular. Zach Keller is the unsung hero."

Allen and Elijah Perryman led the Aggies in assists with six and five, respectively. King had four dimes.

Two Rams reached double digits in scoring. Corey Booth led the way with 14, while Brandon Rechsteiner added 11.

"They (Aggies) not only played really well, but I thought that they controlled the game in terms of 50/50 balls, offensive rebounds; I don't know if there was a stat today that we didn't get dominated in," Farokhmanesh said. "… Where we've beaten them and the way we've beaten them the last two times we played, though, we knew that they had this thing circled and at every level, we clearly didn't have the right mindset."

The Aggies made their first three shots and raced out to a 12-0 start as Falslev had a pair of 3-pointers and 10 points. He drove to the basket to cap the start just over four minutes into the game.

Falslev would score 12 of USU's first 14 points, then it was Collins turn to take over the scoring. Collins scored all 11 points during a 11-0 run. He drilled his third trey to illicit the "Up by 20-2" chant from the students as the Aggies took a 27-5 lead with 10:47 left in the opening half.

"It felt good," Falslev said. "I don't think we've had a great start in any of our games, so it felt really good and hopefully we can continue to do it."

King converted a three-point play to give USU its biggest lead of the first half, 43-15, with 4:20 until the break.

The top 3-point shooting team in the country finally knocked down back-to-back shots from long range. The treys were part of an 8-0 run just before halftime.

USU went to the locker room with a 45-24 lead.

About the only thing that went wrong for the hosts in the first 20 minutes was 11 fouls being called. Even seven turnovers were only turned into six points by the Rams, who shot 26.1 percent from the field in the first half and was 4 of 12 from long range. USU turned eight Colorado State turnovers into 14 points.

After the Rams scored first to start the second half, the Aggies answered with a 10-2 run. Allen hit a pair of 3-pointers as USU built a 55-28 lead with 16:33 to play.

It continued to get worse for the visitors. A jumper by Elamin brought out the "Up by 30" chant and capped the first of two 6-0 runs. The fall-away shot made it 65-35 with 12:31 left in the contest.

After a 3-pointer by Colorado State, USU reeled off six straight again. Falslev scored the last four points, giving the Aggies a 71-38 lead at the 9:28 mark of the second half.

King capped a 7-0 run with an offensive rebound that he turned into a dunk. Clark dunked on the possession before on a scramble for the ball as USU took a 78-40 lead with six-and-a-half minutes to play.

The runs just kept coming down the stretch. The Aggies capped a 8-0 surge with Elamin throwing down a pass from Perryman to give the hosts an 86-43 lead with five minutes left. Three free throws by King before the dunk brought out the rare "Up by 40-1" chant.

The biggest lead came with 32 seconds to play when King scored off a wild scramble, bringing the fans to the feet as USU reached the century mark for a 100-55 lead.

"This was great, but we are taking it game by game," Falslev said. "We are now 1-0 and looking on to the next one."

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