Utah State Claims Mountain West Championship, Secures NCAA Tournament Berth
LAS VEGAS – The Utah State Aggies secured the 2026 Mountain West Postseason Championship with a 73-62 victory over the San Diego State Aztecs on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Thomas & Mack Center.1, 2 This win marks the Aggies’ third Mountain West postseason title in the last eight years and their 11th in program history.1
Aggies Dominate in Las Vegas
Led by Tournament MVP MJ Collins Jr., who scored 20 points, Utah State (28-6) controlled the game, outscoring San Diego State 46-22 in the paint.2, 3 The Aggies also limited their turnovers to just six, while forcing 14 from the Aztecs, converting those miscues into 17 points.4
Key Performances
Collins Jr. Was 8-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-10 from behind the arc, and added three steals.3 Mason Falslev, the Mountain West Player of the Year, contributed 16 points, six assists, and four rebounds.3 Drake Allen added 13 points and six rebounds, while Garry Clark chipped in with 11 points and six rebounds off the bench.3
Aztecs Fall Short
San Diego State (22-11) was led by Reese Dixon-Waters with 20 points, while BJ Davis scored 14 and Magoon Gwath had 12 points and eight rebounds.2 The Aztecs struggled with shooting, connecting on just 5 of 16 three-point attempts.2
Second-Half Surge Seals the Victory
Utah State led by one point with 7:40 remaining before embarking on a 12-2 run, fueled by a pair of three-pointers from Collins Jr.3 San Diego State was unable to close the gap, with the Aggies maintaining a lead of at least eight points for the remainder of the game.3
Historic Season for Utah State
This championship win completes a historic season for Utah State, as they also claimed the Mountain West regular season title.3 Coach Jerrod Calhoun expressed his pride in the team’s accomplishment, stating, “To win the regular season and a tournament title, we just made Utah State history. It’s never been done.”3
NCAA Tournament Bound
With the victory, Utah State has secured an automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament, marking their fourth consecutive appearance.3 San Diego State will await their fate during the NCAA Tournament Selection Demonstrate on Sunday.3 Both teams are set to join the Pac-12 Conference after this season.3
1 Utah State Wins Mountain West Championship With 73-62 Victory Against San Diego State
2 Utah State 73-62 San Diego State (Mar 14, 2026) Final Score
3 Collins scores 20 to lead Utah State 73-62 past San Diego State to claim Mountain West Championship
4 Utah State beats San Diego State to win Mountain West tournament
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