Utah State’s men’s basketball team suffered their first loss of the 2023-24 season in a close game against Bradley, ending in a 72-66 overtime defeat. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with standout performances from junior wing Great Osobor and graduate guard Darius Brown II. Osobor led all scorers with 22 points, just one point shy of his career high, and also contributed seven boards, three assists, four blocks, and a steal. Brown added 13 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, playing the entire 45 minutes of the game.
The first half saw a back-and-forth battle, with the Aggies taking a 30-28 lead into halftime, fueled by Osobor’s impressive 14-point performance. However, Bradley came back strong in the second half, opening with a 12-4 run. Despite facing a 51-42 deficit with 9:21 remaining, Utah State fought back and managed to regain the lead. The game remained neck and neck, leading to an overtime period tied at 62-apiece.
Unfortunately, foul trouble plagued Utah State in the late stages of the game, with three key players accumulating four fouls each. In the overtime period, the Aggies struggled to find their rhythm, failing to make a single field goal and ultimately being outscored 10-4.
The team’s shooting performance was below par, with a 33.8% field goal percentage and a 25.8% 3-point shooting rate. Despite this, Utah State recorded 18 assists on 24 made baskets and won the rebounding battle 47-46, including an 12-8 advantage on the offensive glass.
In his collegiate debut, Maryland transfer Ian Martinez contributed nine points and seven boards, while Isaac Johnson achieved his first double-figure scoring game with 11 points and seven rebounds. On the opposing side, Connor Hickman led Bradley with 21 points, supported by eight boards and four assists.
Looking ahead, Utah State will face Southern Utah on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Despite the setback, the team is determined to bounce back and continue their pursuit of success in the 2023-24 season.