Utah State falls to New Mexico, drops key Mountain West matchup

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — In a game with massive Mountain West implications, Utah State fought to the final second but came up just short, falling 82-79 to New Mexico in The Pit on Sunday.

The Aggies (22-4, 12-3 MW) saw their seven-game winning streak snapped in heartbreaking fashion, despite a dominant offensive performance from Mason Falslev.

Falslev, kept Utah State in contention with a stellar 27-point outing, adding six rebounds and five steals. Ian Martinez chipped in 21 points, while Drake Allen recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists.

Utah State controlled much of the first half, leading for nearly 12 minutes and entering the break up 42-36.

However, foul trouble became a defining factor. The Aggies were whistled for 15 fouls in the first half alone, with three players picking up three fouls before halftime. Forward Aubin Gateretse was limited to just seven minutes before fouling out early in the second half.

New Mexico capitalized on the free-throw disparity, attempting 34 shots from the line compared to Utah State's 16. The Lobos' ability to get to the stripe played a major role in swinging momentum late.

Utah State extended its lead to 10 early in the second half, but a 7-0 New Mexico run flipped the game in the Lobos' favor. From there, the teams traded blows in a back-and-forth thriller.

Down eight with just under four minutes to play, the Aggies clawed their way back behind a clutch Falsev 3-pointer and a seven-point run that tied the game with 1:25 remaining.

But in the final seconds, a deep Falslev three to cut the deficit to one was countered by two free throws from Donovan Dent, leaving Utah State with just one last shot. Martinez's last-second heave missed, sealing the Aggies' first loss since Jan. 23.

Despite the loss, Utah State remains in the thick of the Mountain West race and will return home looking to bounce back against San José State on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

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