Overview
 
Utah State closed the game on a 13-3 run over the final 3:54 to snap a 73-73 tie on its way to an 86-76 win over Villanova in a West Regional First Round game played Friday in San Diego. The loss ends the Wildcats' season with a 24-9 record.
 
Sophomore guard Bryce Lindsay finished with 25 points, draining 6-of-11 from beyond the 3-point arc, to lead all scorers. Tyler Perkins and Duke Brennan each added 15 points.
 
The Aggies were led by Mason Falslev (22 points) and MJ Collins (20 points).
 
"They're impressive," said Villanova head coach Kevin Willard, who ended his first season at the helm with the most wins in program history by a first-year head coach. "I don't think Drake Allen gets enough credit for the way he impacts their basketball team. Offensively and defensively he does a lot of good things for them."
 
The Wildcats did not commit their second turnover of the day until early in the second half but then turned it over seven more times in the period.
 
"I thought that had a little bit to do with being a young team and fatigue," said Willard. "Without Matt (Hodge) we have to play small and we had to play guys like Acaden, Perk, and Bryce 36 and 37 minutes. I thought that took a toll."
 
The Wildcats converted 14-of-30 from beyond the 3-point arc (.467) but were hurt inside by the Aggies. Utah State owned a 42-26 advantage on points in the paint.
 
Threes Kept it Close
 
Utah State scored the game's first four points before Lindsay drained a pair of 3-pointers to help Villanova pull even at six. The Aggies held an 8-6 edge at the first official timeout of the afternoon at Viejas Arena.
 
"It was good to see those go in," Willard said. "I think it gave the rest of our guys a boost to see Bryce get it going like that."
 
The Aggies kicked their transition offense into gear, expanding their lead to 22-13 after 7:46 of the first period. At that point Utah State was 8-of-12 from the field while Nova was 4-of-12. Three of those baskets were from beyond the arc.
 
A triple from Malachi Palmer narrowed the deficit to 22-16 at the 11-minute mark.
 
But the telling statistic was that the Aggies owned a 16-2 advantage on points in the paint over those opening nine minutes.
 
Movement Helps Create Points
 
With the Aggies pressing out on the Wildcats' perimeter, that opened some lanes up for Duke Brennan cutting toward the basket. The movement helped Villanova on a number of fronts and when Acaden Lewis drained a corner 3-pointer, the lead was cut to 31-27. A Brennan free throw closed the gap to 31-28.
 
When Perkins banked in a 3-pointer just ahead of a shot clock horn, the game was tied at 31. Lindsay followed with a drive for two to give VU its first lead of the day, 33-31.
 
Villanova took a 39-37 lead into its locker room at halftime. Lindsay set the scoring pace with 14 points in the period.
 
"I thought we were able to spread them out and that allowed us to get some good looks," said Willard.
 
After Intermission
 
The Aggies picked up a free throw for the first point of the period, but Villanova answered with a 9-0 burst that included a 3-pointer from Perkins and a slam from Brennan off a pass from Lewis. Villanova held a 48-38 lead when Utah State called a timeout at the 17:50 mark.
 
Utah State drained just its second 3-pointer of the day not long after and was back to within 53-48 with 15:40 to play in the second half. When Garry Clark sank a short jumper for the Aggies, the advantage fell to three points as the clock dipped below the 15-minute mark.
 
A pair of free throws put the Aggies on top, 67-65, with 7:58 remaining.
 
It remained tight over the next few minutes as both teams traded blow. Lindsay dropped in a 3-ball with 6:04 left to give the Wildcats a 73-71 lead. But a 9-0 burst by the Aggies proved decisive.
 
What They Said
 
Willard on his first season: "This was a great group of guys to coach. They're unselfish and I looked forward to getting to practice every day. I am blessed to coach Villanova."