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LOGAN — The magic could also be carrying off for Utah State basketball. Or, not less than, the primary actual on-court adversity of the season for the Aggies has reared its head.
On Friday afternoon in Oahu, Hawaii, Utah State suffered its second loss in three video games — and its second loss in opposition to a Quad 4 opponent — to an SMU workforce with a 4-7 file.
SMU led the Aggies almost wire-to-wire to defeat Utah State 77-74 and advance to the Hawaii Diamond Head Basic last on Sunday.
The issues that went proper for the Aggies throughout its 9-0 begin to the season all went fallacious in its loss to the Mustangs. As an alternative of environment friendly passing, the Aggies dribbled an excessive amount of in stretches and had been pressured into errant throws by SMU’s prolonged protection, which resulted in 17 turnovers and 22 factors for the Mustangs.
The identical Aggies workforce that led the nation in 3-point proportion for a number of weeks struggled mightily from downtown and shot simply 10-of-36 from past the arc. Steven Ashworth was 3-of-13 from 3-point vary, and Taylor Funk was 0-of-7.
Contemplating the spectacular size and elite downhill driving capability of an SMU workforce that is steadily enhancing beneath first-year coach Rob Lanier, the offensive deficiencies had been an excessive amount of to beat for the Aggies. The Mustangs outshot the Aggies — going 48% from the sphere — largely attributable to their capability to get straightforward seems on the rim with its drives and Utah State turnovers.
“I assumed (SMU) performed a particularly clear recreation,” head coach Ryan Odom mentioned. “They scored on the rim, they made some well timed pictures. We made some unlucky performs throughout the recreation.
“They acquired 22 factors off of these turnovers,” Odom mentioned. “And we misplaced due to it. I imply, that is a easy truth.”
A late push from the Aggies was almost sufficient to evade the upset loss. Down 63-54 with 6:26 to play, the Aggies put collectively a 10-2 run and trailed by 1 level with three minutes left to play, nevertheless it was as shut as they’d come.
SMU made performs down the stretch, together with a Zach Nutall 3-pointer with 33 seconds left to play to go up 74-68 and to seal the sport.
“They answered each problem that our guys made,” Odom mentioned.
SMU’s beginning guards brought on havoc for the Aggies. Zhuric Phelps had a game-high 19 factors and Nutall added 13 factors within the win.
Sean Bairstow and Max Shulga completed with 18 factors apiece, Ashworth had 15 factors and Funk completed with 7 factors as Utah State shot simply 38% from the sphere in opposition to SMU.
Throughout some stretches within the recreation, the Aggies probably may have set the tone if they may get some pictures to fall.
SMU jumped out to a 27-15 result in open the sport and proved the aggressor to place the Aggies on their heels. Ashworth buried back-to-back 3-pointers, which sparked some vitality for the Aggies, and Utah State tied it 30-Half-hour earlier than halftime.
The Aggies gave up an 8-0 run to closeout the half however clawed their manner again into the sport, thanks partly to 2 3-pointers from Shulga.
With seven minutes left to play, the Aggies trailed by 9 factors, however Shulga made three free throws that had been adopted by a deep pull-up 3-pointer in transition by Ashworth to make it a 1-point deficit.
However, in the end, taking part in a recreation with mini-runs adopted by prolonged dry spells was not sustainable for Utah State. The Aggies protection improved within the second half and held the Mustangs to 40% capturing, SMU’s capability to assault the rim and attain the free-throw line — they shot 15-of-17 from the charity stripe — saved Utah State at arm’s size.
“They do an excellent job of operating you off staggers and setting some actually stable ball screens for these (guards), and so they give them house to work with and so they’re athletic,” Odom mentioned. “There have been instances the place we did nicely with it, and there have been instances the place, clearly, we did not do in addition to we wanted to do as a way to win the sport.”
Utah State seems to shake off the loss when it performs the loser of Washington State and Hawaii at 4:30 p.m. MST on Christmas.
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