3 keys in the Utah State Aggies’ 65-53 loss to the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the NCAA Tournament
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Utah State guard Steven Ashworth (3), left, is trapped along the baseline by Texas Tech guard Jamarius Burton (2) and forward Tyreek Smith (10) during the first half of a first round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) AP
The 11-seed Utah State Aggies fell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Bloomington, Ind. on Friday, losing to the 6-seed Texas Tech Red Raiders 65-53 to conclude their season.
Here are three keys from the game.
Thanks to the Red Raiders’ terrific defense all game long, the Aggies committed a whopping 22 turnovers, many of which led to easy Texas Tech buckets. Specifically, the Red Raiders’ defense turned a six-point deficit in the second half into an eight-point lead in less than four minutes, and Utah State never recovered.
The Aggies didn’t help themselves with the way they shot from behind the 3-point line, as they finished just 4 of 19 from beyond the arc. Many of those were wide open looks.
Utah State led 26-23 at halftime and scored an almost equal 27 points in the second half. The Red Raiders, meanwhile, put up 42 in the final 20 minutes to get the win.
The Red Raiders have broken things open behind great defense and Utah State being unable to convert offensively when it does get good opportunities.
12:46, second half
Texas Tech 41, Utah State 33
The Red Raiders have gone on a 16-2 run in less than four minutes to turn a six-point deficit into an eight-point lead. They’ve maintained excellent defensive pressure throughout the game and are getting 3-pointers to fall, neutralizing Queta’s defense inside.
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Utah State guard Brock Miller (22) passes the ball off to a teammate during the first half of a first round game against Texas Tech in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) | Doug McSchooler, Associated Press
2 of 16
Utah State forward Justin Bean (34) tries to get a shot past the defense of Texas Tech guard Micah Peavy (5) during the first half of a first round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) | Doug McSchooler, Associated Press
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Texas Tech guard Micah Peavy (5) and Utah State guard Steven Ashworth (3) battle for position under the basket during the first half of a first round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) | Doug McSchooler, Associated Press
4 of 16
Utah State center Neemias Queta (23) blocks a shot taken by Texas Tech guard Kevin McCullar (15) during the first half of a first round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) | Doug McSchooler, Associated Press
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The basketball hits the face of Utah State center Neemias Queta (23) after his layup attempt ricocheted off the rim during the first half of a first round game against Texas Tech in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) | Doug McSchooler, Associated Press
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Utah State guard Marco Anthony (44) scores with a slam dunk during the first half of a first round game against Texas Tech in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) | Doug McSchooler, Associated Press
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Utah State forward Justin Bean (34) puts up a shot over the defense of Texas Tech forward Marcus Santos-Silva (14) during the first half of a first round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) | Doug McSchooler, Associated Press
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Utah State center Neemias Queta (23) battles for a rebound with Texas Tech forward Marcus Santos-Silva (14) during the second half of a first round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) | Doug McSchooler, Associated Press
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Utah State forward Justin Bean (34) attempts to save the ball from going out-of-bounds during the second half of a first round game against Texas Tech in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) | Doug McSchooler, Associated Press
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Texas Tech guard Mac McClung (0) shoots a 3-point shot while Utah State guard Marco Anthony (44) defends during the second half of a first round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) | Doug McSchooler, Associated Press
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Utah State center Neemias Queta (23) blocks a shot by Texas Tech guard Micah Peavy (5) during the second half of a first round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) | Doug McSchooler, Associated Press
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Utah State center Neemias Queta (23) pulls in a rebound during the second half of a first round game against Texas Tech in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) | Doug McSchooler, Associated Press
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Texas Tech guard Kevin McCullar (15) goes to the basket to score with a layup during the second half of a first round game against Utah State in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) | Doug McSchooler, Associated Press
14 of 16
Texas Tech guard Clarence Nadolny (3) steals the ball away from Utah State guard Marco Anthony (44) with a diving effort during the second half of a first round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) | Doug McSchooler, Associated Press
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Texas Tech guard Mac McClung (0) is defended by Utah State guard Rollie Worster (24) as he looks for a teammate to pass to during the second half of a first round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) | Doug McSchooler, Associated Press
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Texas Tech guard Kyler Edwards (11) catches a ride on the back of teammate forward Marcus Santos-Silva (14) as the two celebrate their win over Utah State in a first round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Friday, March 19, 2021, at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler) | Doug McSchooler, Associated Press
HALFTIME
Utah State 26, Texas Tech 23
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In a game of runs, the Aggies closed the half on a 12-3 run to take the lead at intermission in a defensive battle. Utah State is +9 in rebounding but -8 in turnovers. Aggie forward Justin Bean leads all scorers with 10 points, six of which came in the last 3:15. Mac McClung has nine to lead Texas Tech.
3:42, first half
Texas Tech 20, Utah State 17
The Red Raider pressure defense has caused all kinds of problems for Utah State, as Texas Tech has 13 points off turnovers to take the lead. Brock Miller finally made a 3-pointer to keep the Aggies close.
7:29, first half
Utah State 12, Texas Tech 12
Texas Tech went on an extended 7-0 run to take the lead before Utah State tied it. The Red Raiders have turned up the defensive pressure, although the Aggies are 0-for-6 from behind the 3-point line, many of which have been open looks.
14:39, first half
Utah State 10, Texas Tech 5
The Red Raiders scored the first five points of the game but the Aggies have responded with the next 10 as Neemias Queta has been tremendous on both ends of the floor early with four points, two assists, a block and a rebound.
