ORLANDO, Fla. — In an exciting matchup during the NIT Season Tip-Off on Thursday evening, Utah State claimed a 72-67 victory against Saint Bonaventure. Mason Falslev stood out for the Aggies, contributing significantly with 15 points and secured 12 rebounds, showcasing his versatility on both ends of the court. The win marked the sixth consecutive victory for the Aggies, who are now holding a solid record of 6-0.

Dexter Akanno also made notable contributions, scoring 14 points with an effective shooting performance of 4 for 10 overall and hitting 3 of 6 from behind the arc. Ian Martinez rounded out the scoring for Utah State by tallying another 14 points, where he notably converted 9 of 10 free-throw attempts while struggling from the field with only 2 out of 10 shooting, including just 1 from 3-point territory.

On the other side, Dasonte Bowen led the scoring for the Bonnies with 15 points, along with four assists and two steals, showing his all-around game. His teammate, Noel Brown, matched his scoring output with another 15 points, while Melvin Council Jr. contributed 13 points, 12 rebounds, and a pair of steals. Despite a strong start to the season, the Bonnies faced their first defeat after a six-game winning streak, bringing their record to 6-1.

The game saw a competitive first half where Martinez managed six points, but Utah State headed into the break trailing 30-25. A dramatic shift in momentum occurred in the second half, highlighted by a powerful 13-2 run that allowed the Aggies to overturn an eight-point deficit and move ahead with a score of 46-43, just under 10 minutes left to play. Falslev’s performance in the second half was crucial, as he added 10 points to solidify Utah State’s lead and secure the win.