Utah State guard MJ Collins (2) looks to pass the ball against Villanova forward Duke Brennan (24) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Brandon Judd
By Brandon Judd
Brandon covers sports for the Deseret News, with an emphasis on the University of Utah and the NFL.

For the second time in three years, Utah State is advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The No. 9 seed Aggies followed the leadership of MJ Collins and Mason Falslev to beat No. 8 Villanova 86-76 during first-round action Friday at Viejas Arena in San Diego.

With the win, Utah State (29-6) moves on to face No. 1 seed Arizona on Sunday in the Round of 32.

3 takeaways

The Aggies got the defining run in a highly entertaining game: The contest was tied nine times and there were 12 lead changes in Friday’s matchup, but Utah State was the benefactor of the final momentum swing.

Both teams went on an extended drought after Villanova took a 73-71 lead, but Collins was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 3:54 to play.

He made 2 of 3 from the free-throw line, then after a pair of Drake Allen free throws 43 seconds later, Collins came up with a steal and turned it into three points, scoring on the fast break and getting fouled.

His made free throw gave Utah State a 78-73 lead, and after another Wildcat turnover on a five-second call, Falslev found Collins underneath for another basket and an 80-73 lead with 2:12 to play.

Falslev and Collins scored again following a Villanova free throw, and the Aggies wrapped up the win with a decisive 14-1 run.

Falslev ended up with a team-high 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Collins added 20 points, four rebounds, an assist and a steal.

The Aggies set the tone by attacking the paint: Utah State built momentum early in this one, going ahead 22-13 by driving to the lane.

The Aggies held an 18-2 edge on paint points to start the game and finished with a 42-26 advantage in points in the paint.

Utah State outscored Villanova 13-6 in second-chance points and was also more aggressive getting to the free-throw line.

The Aggies were 28 of 37 from the charity stripe, while the Wildcats were 6 of 13.

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Utah State forward Adlan Elamin (35) celebrates during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Villanova, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Utah State forward Karson Templin (22) celebrates next to Villanova guard Acaden Lewis (55) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Utah State forward Karson Templin, facing, celebrates with guard MJ Collins after the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Villanova, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
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Utah State forward Adlan Elamin, left, loses the ball while shooting against Villanova guard Devin Askew during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
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Utah State players celebrate after the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Villanova, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Utah State guard MJ Collins celebrates during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Villanova, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Villanova guard Bryce Lindsay (2) brings the ball up the court against Utah State guard Mason Falslev during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Villanova guard Tyler Perkins, middle, brings the ball up the court against Utah State forward Karson Templin (22) and guard Drake Allen (8) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Utah State forward Garry Clark (11) shoots against Villanova during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
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Utah State head coach Jerrod Calhoun yells toward players during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Villanova, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Utah State forward Garry Clark (11) celebrates with guard MJ Collins (2) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Villanova, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Villanova guard Bryce Lindsay (2) drives to the basket against Utah State forward Karson Templin during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Utah State forward Karson Templin (22) celebrates with guard MJ Collins after the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Villanova, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Utah State guard MJ Collins (2) shoots against Villanova during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
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Villanova guard Devin Askew (5) shoots against Utah State forward Karson Templin during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
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Utah State guard Kolby King (7) shoots against Villanova during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
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Utah State forward Karson Templin, left, grabs the ball over Villanova guard Bryce Lindsay during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Villanova center Braden Pierce, right, reaches for the ball over Utah State forward Adlan Elamin (35) and forward Garry Clark (11) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Utah State guard Drake Allen (8) dunks against Villanova forward Duke Brennan (24) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) | Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
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Villanova guard Bryce Lindsay, right, shoots a 3-point basket against Utah State guard MJ Collins during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
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Villanova guard Tyler Perkins, middle, reaches for the ball between Utah State forward Adlan Elamin, left, and forward Garry Clark during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Utah State forward Adlan Elamin (35) dunks next to Villanova guard Tyler Perkins during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
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Villanova guard Acaden Lewis (55) drives to the basket against Utah State guard MJ Collins during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Utah State guard MJ Collins (2) and forward Adlan Elamin, left, celebrate next to Villanova guard Tyler Perkins (4) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Utah State guard MJ Collins (2) dunks against Villanova during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Utah State guard MJ Collins (2) celebrates with forward Karson Templin after the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Villanova, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
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Utah State guard MJ Collins (2) celebrates during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Villanova, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Utah State guard Drake Allen, middle, drives to the basket against Villanova during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Villanova guard Acaden Lewis (55) shoots against Utah State forward Zach Keller during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
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Villanova guard Tyler Perkins gestures after making a 3-point basket during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Utah State, Friday, March 20, 2026, in San Diego. | Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press
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Comments

Villanova lived and died by the 3: The Wildcats ended up making 14 of 30 shots from 3-point range, led by six from Bryce Lindsay, who scored a game-high 25 points to pace four Wildcats in double figures.

Utah State, meanwhile, struggled from outside, going 2 of 16.

Down the stretch, though, Villanova couldn’t hit a 3 when it needed one, as the Wildcats missed their final three attempts from long range and missed nine of their final 10 field goal attempts.

Utah State hit 9 of 11 field goals to end the contest and had two others in double-figures in Allen (11 points, six assists) and Adlan Elamin (13 points, seven rebounds, three assists).

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