Utah State dominates TCU to earn first NCAA Event win in 23 years

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INDIANAPOLIS — It has been a very long time coming for the Aggies.

For the primary time in 23 years, Utah State will advance previous the primary spherical of the NCAA Event after the Aggies beat ninth-seeded TCU 88-72 Friday evening.

“Unbelievable win,” Aggies coach Danny Sprinkle mentioned after his first NCAA Event win as a head coach. “Simply the toughness and the grit our guys confirmed towards a Massive 12 workforce. That is a bodily, that is a very good workforce.”

After the Horned Frogs gave up an early lead halfway by the primary half, the Aggies took over and by no means regarded again. An thrilling, balanced workforce efficiency, paired with a powerful second half run, led the Aggies to an 18-point lead.

And what a workforce efficiency it was.

The Aggies’ had six gamers who scored 8 factors or extra, and the workforce completed with 22 assists, 10 steals and 9 blocks.

“There isn’t any different approach to put it, they merely out-executed us and killed us within the paint,” Horned Frogs coach Jamie Dixon mentioned.

Isaac Johnson, who averages the least of the Aggies’ typical starters, scored a career-high 19 factors on 6-of-10 capturing; Ian Martinez added 21 factors 4 rebounds and 4 assists; Darius Brown II completed with a double-double of 10 factors and 10 assists; and Nice Osobor completed with 13 factors, seven rebounds and 4 assists.

“We had so many large performs by everyone that bought in,” Sprinkle mentioned. “I imply, nearly everyone that bought in scored, had a rebound, and, (I am) actually pleased with our guys.”

Although Utah State will likely be an underdog within the subsequent spherical towards Purdue, the workforce’s first-round match victory means extra to this system.

The Aggies have not gained a match recreation since they upset fifth-seeded Ohio State in 2001. In addition they simply gained their second match recreation within the final 53 years. Since 1971, their NCAA Event report is 2-18.

The workforce’s NIT success throughout that interval (or lack thereof) has been a lot the identical, with a report of 0-8.

Regardless of the dearth of postseason wins, Sprinkle mentioned the Aggies’ custom of postseason appearances has been spectacular, and the win Friday is “superior for our program and our group.”

Protecting their one recreation match win streak alive, although, it couldn’t come towards a harder opponent. Purdue, whom the Aggies will face Sunday within the second spherical, spent a lot of the season ranked as the highest workforce within the nation and are led by two-time NCAA Participant of the 12 months Zach Edey.

Although the Aggies are prone to enter the sport as a double-digit underdogs, Johnson mentioned his workforce has bought a shot to take down the Boilermakers.

“Irrespective of that they are the No. 1 seed or been ranked all through the nation for nevertheless many weeks, I believe we’ve got the aptitude to hold with anyone,” Johnson mentioned of their formidable upcoming matchup. “I believe we’ve got a great likelihood.”

“We will must play like we did tonight,” Sprinkle added. “We’ve got to play with just a little little bit of a chip on our shoulder.”

The Aggies will face Purdue in Indianapolis on Sunday (12:40 p.m. MDT, CBS).

Utah State is only one of two Mountain West groups remaining within the match, together with No. 5 seed San Diego State, who will play 13-seeded Yale Sunday evening for a spot within the Candy 16.

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