Utah State needed overtime to get past Fresno State in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Conference tournament on Wednesday.
But the No. 18 Aggies looked like league champs in the extra time, beating the Bulldogs 87-75.
“Obviously you don’t want to have close games,” said junior Great Osobor, who led the way with 29 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. “But we like when the stakes are high. So we knew if we got it to overtime, it was a 0-0 game. We got our jitters out of the way.”
Utah State forward Great Osobor (1) drives to the basket past Fresno State guard Xavier DuSell (53) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Mountain West Conference tournament, Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
Now the Aggies have the San Diego State Aztecs standing in their way.
And USU will likely have to do it without one of their starting guards.
Redshirt freshman Mason Falslev, who averaged 11.6 points and 4.4 rebounds as a starter for the Aggies this season, was sidelined with an injury Thursday.
“Right after pregame meal today I met with him, and he didn’t think he could go today. He hasn’t really practiced much all week,” head coach Danny Sprinkle said. “It’s just kind of one of those we’ll see how he feels tomorrow. He’s been getting a lot of treatment on it, but I don’t expect him to play tomorrow, to be honest. I hope he does, but …”
With Falslev out, sophomore guard Javon Jackson stepped up, scoring a career-high 16 points to go along with five rebounds and two assists.
“Just watching extra film, just staying locked in because I never know when I’m going to get in the game,” Jackson said, “but when I do, I know I have to make an impact.”
Utah State's Javon Jackson (22), Ian Martinez (4), and Nigel Burris (35) celebrate after defeating Fresno State in an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Mountain West Conference tournament, Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
This season, Aztecs ran away with an 81-67 win in San Diego, but the Aggies got their revenge in Logan.
The two teams will meet for the third time this year on Friday.
How to watch Utah State vs. San Diego State
Mountain West Conference semifinals
Time: Friday, 7:30 p.m. MT
TV: CBS Sports Network
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