Utah State and Nevada Advance in Mountain West Basketball Tournament
The Mountain West Basketball Tournament, held at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, witnessed a thrilling quarterfinal round on March 12, 2026. Utah State and Nevada emerged victorious, setting the stage for a highly anticipated semifinal matchup.
In the first quarterfinal, Utah State decisively defeated UNLV with a score of 80-60. This victory marks the eighth time in the past nine years that Utah State has advanced to the semifinals of the tournament. Mason Falslev led the charge for Utah State, scoring 24 points and contributing significantly to the team’s success. The Aggies showcased an impressive shooting performance, finishing the game with a field goal percentage of 50.9 percent.
Nevada also secured their place in the semifinals by overcoming Grand Canyon in a closely contested game, winning 84-80. Corey Camper Jr. was the standout player for Nevada, scoring 27 points. The game was notable for its intensity, with a total of 86 free throws taken, breaking the Mountain West tournament record for free throws in a single game. Nevada’s head coach, Steve Alford, praised his team’s performance, stating, “We scored 50 in the second half, and we did a good job of getting to the free-throw line, and we took advantage of it.”
This year’s tournament is particularly significant as it features 12 teams for the first time, following Grand Canyon’s addition to the conference. Historically, the top two seeds have dominated the Mountain West Tournament, winning 12 of the last 15 titles, which adds an extra layer of competition to the current format.
Utah State’s success in the tournament is a continuation of their strong performance over the years, with a current all-time record of 20-10 in the Mountain West Championships. The Aggies have consistently been a formidable force in the league, and their ability to win at least 26 games for the fourth straight season speaks volumes about their program’s strength.
As the tournament progresses, the semifinals will feature a showdown between Utah State and Nevada on March 13, 2026. Both teams will be looking to capitalize on their momentum from the quarterfinals and secure a place in the championship game.
Reactions from players and coaches have been positive, with Camper Jr. expressing the confidence that comes from successful free-throw shooting, saying, “When each guy on this team is knocking down free-throws and it’s going your way, it feels great.” Meanwhile, Alford emphasized the grit displayed by his players throughout the game.
As fans eagerly await the semifinals, the Mountain West Basketball Tournament continues to deliver exciting matchups and standout performances, underscoring the competitive spirit of college basketball.
