KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mason Falslev, a sophomore player, turned in an impressive performance, scoring 25 points and securing 12 rebounds, marking the first double-double of his career as Utah State triumphed over Iowa with a final score of 77-69 during the Hall of Fame Classic on Friday night.
Falslev had an efficient shooting night, making 9 of 15 attempts from the field and hitting 3 out of 4 from beyond the arc, helping the Aggies maintain their undefeated record at 5-0.
In addition to Falslev’s standout performance, Ian Martinez contributed significantly with 13 points, six rebounds, six assists, and three steals. Tucker Anderson from the bench also made an impact, adding 10 points, five rebounds, and five steals to the team’s effort.
Brock Harding was the top scorer for the Hawkeyes, finishing the game with 19 points. Owen Freeman recorded his second double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Payton Sandfort added 14 points to the team’s total, although he struggled from the field, converting only 4 of 18 attempts, including just 1 of 13 from three-point range.
Falslev helped Utah State surge ahead early, making two baskets within the first two minutes. The Aggies took the lead initially but lost it when Freeman scored a layup mid-way through the half, giving Iowa a narrow edge at 13-12. Despite a brief six-point lead for the Hawkeyes late in the half, Falslev’s tip-in just before halftime narrowed the gap to 37-33.
The second half saw Iowa continue to hold its lead until Falslev’s layup put Utah State ahead at 47-46 with just under 15 minutes left. Harding quickly responded with a three-pointer for Iowa, but Utah State began to build momentum. Martinez allowed the Aggies to surge ahead with a jumper and a three-pointer around two free throws by Falslev, which ultimately shifted the lead to Utah State at 58-53 with ten minutes remaining.
With this victory, Utah State ended the Hawkeyes’ pursuit of a six-game winning streak to start the season, a feat Iowa had not accomplished since the 2021-22 season when they achieved seven consecutive wins.
Looking ahead, the Hawkeyes are set to host South Carolina Upstate on Tuesday, while the Aggies will head to Lake Buena Vista, Florida, for the NIT Season Tip-Off, where they will face St. Bonaventure on Thursday.