3 keys to Utah State’s 62-57 loss to San Diego State in the Mountain West tournament championship game

Aggies shoot just 17% from 3-point range in defeat in Las Vegas

Published: March 11, 2023, 6:47 p.m. MST

Utah State Aggies guard Max Shulga dribbles — Utah State Aggies guard Max Shulga (11) puts the brakes on as he is guarded by San Diego State Aztecs guard Matt Bradley (20) as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Jay has covered sports in Utah for more than 30 years and has been writing for the Deseret News since 2019.

Third-seeded Utah State came up just short in its quest for a conference tournament championship and an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament on Saturday afternoon, losing 62-57 to San Diego State in the Mountain West final at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

After Taylor Funk’s 3-point try was originally ruled to have beat the shot clock with 6:19 remaining, a shot that would have given USU the lead, it was taken off the board after a video review, and the Aggies misfired on three of their next four possessions.

Former Wasatch Academy star Matt Bradley scored five straight points for SDSU, three on free throws after he steamrolled USU’s Steven Ashworth but got the friendly whistle. And when Darrion Trammell added a jumper, the Aztecs had a 53-46 lead with three minutes remaining.

Cold-starting Utah State muscles past Boise State and into another Mountain West championship game

Utah State pulled within two on an Ashworth 3-pointer with 30 seconds left, but the Aztecs made 9 of 10 free throws in the final 30 seconds to add the tournament title to their regular-season crown.

San Diego State improved to 27-6, while Utah State dropped to 26-8. The Aggies will now hope for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.

Utah State’s forward Dan Akin (30) and Utah State Aggies guard Steven Ashworth (3) walk off the floor after falling to San Diego State in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

San Diego State Aztecs players hold the Championship trophy after defeating Utah State in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies guard Steven Ashworth (3) pushes up a shot with San Diego State Aztecs guard Darrion Trammell (12) defending as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies center Trevin Dorius (32) and teammate guard Sean Bairstow (2) defend San Diego State Aztecs guard Micah Parrish (3) as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies guard Steven Ashworth (3) falls to the floor after being hit by San Diego State Aztecs forward Keshad Johnson (0) Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies center Trevin Dorius (32) looks to go up for a shot with San Diego State Aztecs forward Nathan Mensah (31) defending as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies guard RJ Eytle-Rock (5) goes up for a lay-up with San Diego State Aztecs forward Jaedon LeDee (13) defending as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies forward Dan Akin (30) grabs a rebound over San Diego State Aztecs guard Matt Bradley (20) as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies guard Sean Bairstow (2) battles San Diego State Aztecs guard Darrion Trammell (12) as he drives the lane as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies guard Sean Bairstow (2) drives on San Diego State Aztecs guard Matt Bradley (20) as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies forward Zee Hamoda (24) shoots over San Diego State Aztecs forward Nathan Mensah (31) as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies center Trevin Dorius (32) catches high pass at the hoop as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies guard Max Shulga (11) puts the brakes on as he is guarded by San Diego State Aztecs guard Matt Bradley (20) as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies guard Steven Ashworth (3) watches as San Diego State celebrates after winning the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies students cheer as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies students yell and cheer as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies cheerleaders dance during the game as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies guard Steven Ashworth (3) knocks the ball away from San Diego State Aztecs guard Adam Seiko (2) as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

After knocking the ball from San Diego State Aztecs guard Adam Seiko (2) Utah State Aggies guard Steven Ashworth (3) races down court as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

San Diego State Aztecs forward Keshad Johnson (0) pushes in a shot over Utah State Aggies forward Taylor Funk (23) as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies guard Sean Bairstow (2) tries to get around the screen by San Diego State Aztecs forward Nathan Mensah (31) as he guardsSan Diego State Aztecs guard Micah Parrish (3) as they play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

San Diego State Aztecs head coach Brian Dutcher questions a call as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

San Diego State Aztecs head coach Brian Dutcher, shows his frustration after after a call as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies forward Taylor Funk (23) tries to dislodge the ball from San Diego State Aztecs forward Jaedon LeDee (13), and is whistled for a foul as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies mascot Big Blue runs out onto the floor prior to tipoff as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies center Trevin Dorius (32) fights to get off a shot with San Diego State Aztecs guard Lamont Butler (5) defending as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies center Trevin Dorius (32) goes up for a shot with San Diego State Aztecs forward Nathan Mensah (31) defending as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies guard Max Shulga (11) goes up for a shot as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies guard Max Shulga (11) defends San Diego State Aztecs guard Adam Seiko (2) as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies forward Taylor Funk (23) and center Trevin Dorius (32) defend San Diego State Aztecs forward Aguek Arop (33) as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

San Diego State Aztecs forward Keshad Johnson (0) celebrates with forward Jaedon LeDee (13) Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies head coach Ryan Odom, questions Utah State Aggies guard Steven Ashworth (3) after a turnover as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies forward Dan Akin (30) snags a rebound as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies guard Steven Ashworth (3) guards San Diego State Aztecs guard Matt Bradley (20) as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies guard Steven Ashworth (3) looks to get around the defense of San Diego State Aztecs guard Micah Parrish (3) as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

San Diego State Aztecs forward Jaedon LeDee (13) drives around Utah State Aggies guard Steven Ashworth (3) as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies head coach Ryan Odom talks with forward Dan Akin (30), guard Steven Ashworth (3) and guard Sean Bairstow (2) during an Aztec free-throw as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies coaches and players on the bench watch as the final few seconds near an end of the game as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

San Diego State Aztecs forward Nathan Mensah (31) and guard Jared Barnett (4) and other players begin celebrating as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies forward Zee Hamoda (24) hits San Diego State Aztecs forward Jaedon LeDee (13) with his arm as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

San Diego State Aztecs forward Aguek Arop (33) and Utah State Aggies guard Steven Ashworth (3) dive for the ball as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies forward Taylor Funk (23) sits on the floor after falling as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies forward Taylor Funk (23) celebrates after putting in a three point shot at the buzzer that was waived off after replay, as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Fans cheer as they watch Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies forward Dan Akin (30) tries to reach the ball as it comes off the backboard as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah State Aggies guard Sean Bairstow (2) is guarded by San Diego State Aztecs guard Micah Parrish (3) as Utah State and San Diego State play in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

San Diego State Aztecs players celebrate as they defeat Utah State in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

San Diego State Aztecs forward Elijah Saunders (25) and guard Miles Byrd (21) look at the championship trophy after the Aztecs defeated Utah State in the Mountain West Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, 2023. San Diego State won 62-57. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Here are 3 keys to Utah State’s loss:

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• Utah State appeared to tire out as the game wore on, while SDSU flourished with a much deeper bench. Also, the Aggies missed at least a half-dozen close-in shots and layups, and seven free throws.

• Jaedon LeDee led No. 20 SDSU with 15 points, while Matt Bradley added 14. The Aztecs turned 15 offensive rebounds into 14 second-chance points and got 35 points from their bench. USU’s bench contributed only 16 points.

• The Aggies led by as many as 11 points in the first half, but SDSU came roaring back just before halftime. Utah State was just 5 of 10 from the free-throw line in the first half, and just 2 of 9 from 3-point range.

They finished 4 of 24 (17%) from beyond the arc, well below their normal 3-point shooting percentage.

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