New Mexico
Taylor Funk, Utah State shoot past New Mexico to advance to MW semis
New Mexico Lobos ahead Morris Udeze (24) loses the ball as Utah State Aggies guard RJ Eytle-Rock (5) reaches in as Utah State and New Mexico play within the Mountain West Convention Basketball Match at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Middle in Las Vegas on Thursday, March 9, 2023. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information)
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LAS VEGAS — Contained in the confines of the Thomas & Mack Middle per week in the past, Utah State ahead Taylor Funk took simply three pictures and scored simply 2 factors in the course of the Aggies’ rout over UNLV.
Steven Ashworth was requested about his teammate’s efficiency and up to date offensive stoop after the sport, and he insisted Funk’s offense could be there when it wanted to be.
And on the most important stage of the season thus far, Ashworth’s promise rang true.
In entrance of a positive New Mexico Lobos crowd for the Mountain West quarterfinals spherical on Wednesday night time, Funk opened up the sport with Utah State’s first 16 factors and completed with a season-high 32 factors, and the Aggies beat the Lobos 91-76.
With the win, the Aggies advance to the semifinal spherical that will probably be performed on Friday (10 p.m. MST, CBSSN) in opposition to Boise State — one other alternative to strengthen Utah State’s NCAA Match resume.
Ashworth added 22 factors, Dan Akin had 17 factors, and the Aggies offense was merely an excessive amount of for the Lobos to deal with.
Utah State led by as a lot as 18 factors within the second half earlier than a New Mexico rally reduce the Aggies’ result in single digits with six minutes remaining. The Aggies pulled away, although, for the comfy win.
Jamal Mashburn Jr. completed with 20 factors for the Lobos, and Jaelen Home Jr. had 14 factors.
The Aggies compelled 12 turnovers and shot 50% from past the arc for the sport.
This story will probably be up to date.