Utah State Basketball Dominates Seattle in Doubleheader Exhibition

The Utah State basketball team showcased its talent during a day-night doubleheader exhibition against Seattle University on Saturday at the Spectrum, prevailing 88-76 in the main contest. Senior guard MJ Collins Jr. led the Aggies with 15 points, while a second, shorter game saw Utah State secure a 19-13 victory, primarily featuring underclassmen.

This year, head coach Ryan Calhoun opted to open the exhibition games to the public, a departure from previous seasons where such contests were private. General admission tickets were priced at $20, with all proceeds directed to the Aggies’ Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) fund. “I thought it was a neat environment; a great opportunity for us to not only get better play against a good, quality team, but raise some money for the future,” Calhoun said. He expressed gratitude to fans who contributed, noting some purchased tickets without attending the game, creating a “win-win” situation.

The main game attracted an audience of 3,711 fans, allowing them to catch an early glimpse of the Aggies’ roster for the 2025-26 season, which includes five returning players, five transfers, and five freshmen. Collins, who transferred from Vanderbilt, is positioned to help fill the gap left by the graduation of Ian Martinez, the team’s leading scorer from last season, who averaged 16.4 points per game.

Collins made a significant impact, scoring nine of his points in the first half and shooting efficiently at 5 for 7 from the field, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc. “I felt really good,” said Collins, who previously played at Virginia Tech. “Of course, I’m happy to be here. And, you know, I can’t, I really can’t (wait) until the Spec is filled up 100%.”

The starting lineup featured Collins alongside junior guard Mason Falslev, junior wing Tucker Anderson, graduate guard Drake Allen, and forward Zach Keller, who joined from Utah. Falslev, returning as the leading scorer from last season with an average of 15.0 points, added 10 points in the exhibition, while Anderson contributed 11 points after gaining muscle during the offseason.

Despite the strong offensive showing, Calhoun pointed out concerns, including the team’s 14 turnovers and allowing Seattle to shoot 47.4% from the field. He emphasized the importance of improving ball security as the season progresses. “This time of year, I think the two biggest things you’re really trying to key in on is your transition defense and your ball security,” Calhoun noted. “It’s hard to play transition D when you don’t have great ball security.”

All 15 players on the Aggies’ roster participated in the main contest, with nine scoring during the game. Freshman point guard Elijah Perryman saw the most action among newcomers, contributing three points and one assist in six minutes. Other freshmen, including forwards Adlan Elamin and David Iweze, also gained valuable experience in the shorter exhibition game.

The Redhawks, led by sophomore forward Will Heimbrodt, who scored a game-high 21 points, briefly held the lead early in the contest. However, a series of three-pointers from Falslev and Collins propelled Utah State to a commanding lead. Although Seattle narrowed the gap in the second half, the Aggies maintained their composure to secure the victory.

Calhoun reflected on the unique experience of fielding all 15 players, emphasizing the value of player development through game time. “I’ve never gone into a game and played 15 players; I’ve never experienced that,” he said.

Looking ahead, Utah State will travel to San Francisco to face the Dons in another exhibition match before hosting Westminster for their season opener on November 3. The doubleheader against Seattle served as an important stepping stone for the Aggies as they prepare for the upcoming season.