In a thrilling matchup at Viejas Arena, Utah State showcased their resilience and skill, overcoming Villanova with a decisive 86-76 victory. This win sets up an exciting second-round face-off against No. 1 seed Arizona, as the Aggies aim to make another Sweet 16 appearance.
Utah State, the ninth seed, pulled off an impressive comeback, outscoring eighth-seeded Villanova 15-3 in the final six minutes. This marks the second time in three seasons that the Aggies have advanced past the first round.
The star of the show was MJ Collins Jr., who racked up 20 points, with 16 of those coming in a clutch second half. Collins was instrumental during a pivotal 9-0 run that turned the tide in Utah State's favor. Meanwhile, Mason Falslev led the scoring charge with 22 points.
Villanova, ending their season at 24-9, saw strong performances from Bryce Lindsay, who scored 25 points, and Tyler Perkins and Duke Brennan, each contributing 15. Despite their efforts, the Wildcats faltered down the stretch, missing nine of their last 10 shots after a brief 73-71 lead with just over six minutes remaining.
Utah State's shooting was on point, hitting 54.9 percent from the field and an impressive 74.3 percent on two-point attempts. Their prowess at the free-throw line was evident, making 28 of 37 attempts, while Villanova struggled, converting just 6 of 13.
Villanova did have success from beyond the arc, sinking 14 of 30 threes and limiting the Aggies to a mere 2-of-16 from long range. However, their struggles inside, missing nine layups and shooting only 42.4 percent from inside the arc, proved costly.
The game was a tale of two halves, with Villanova holding a narrow 39-37 lead at halftime and extending it to a 10-point advantage early in the second half. Utah State responded with a 14-4 run, leveling the score at 54 with over 14 minutes to play.
The lead see-sawed eight times in the next stretch, with Lindsay’s three-pointer giving Villanova their final lead. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they went cold, failing to score for over four minutes, allowing Utah State to seize control with a decisive 9-0 run. Collins’ highlight-reel play-a behind-the-back dribble leading to a three-point play-capped the surge, giving the Aggies an 80-73 lead with just over two minutes left.
Utah State initially dominated, leading for the first 13-plus minutes until a 9-0 Villanova run shifted momentum. The Aggies' largest lead in the first half was 26-17, showcasing their ability to control the game early on.
Now, with momentum on their side, Utah State looks to carry this energy into their matchup against Arizona, aiming to continue their impressive tournament run.