Utah
No magic necessary: Utah State starts hot, runs past New Mexico for big win
Estimated learn time: 4-5 minutes
LOGAN — Recent off back-to-back thrilling wins and a 10-1 document at residence, it is tough to discredit the magic that has been within the air when Utah State performs in Cache Valley this season.
For its greatest residence recreation up to now, although, the Aggies weren’t content material to depart it as much as some mystical forces that permeates the confines of the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
In entrance of 8,851 followers late Wednesday night time, practically half of whom have been college students repping colourful T-shirts to match the fall-colored seats in honor of “Spectrum Magic” night time, Utah State delivered considered one of its greatest efforts of the season towards a New Mexico squad projected to make the NCAA Event.
The Aggies dominated the primary 20 minutes and surged to a 19-point halftime lead, then produced sufficient offense down the stretch to stave off an unrelenting Lobos squad to win 84-73. It is the primary Quad 1 win of the season for the Aggies.
Extra considerably, although, it was an announcement win that retains Utah State one recreation again within the convention title race and loudly suggests it belongs within the NCAA Event at-large conversion.
“I assumed our guys have been dynamite right this moment,” Utah State head coach Ryan Odom stated. “From the very starting, clearly, everybody knew — each groups, each fan bases knew this was an essential recreation. They’re all essential in convention play, however you’ll be able to solely play the one on that exact day. Our guys have been prepared, they weren’t tentative, they performed a really balanced recreation in a variety of methods.”
The trouble was robust throughout the board, too.
Sean Bairstow matched his profession excessive of 20 factors; Steven Ashworth had 19 factors, of which he was 9-of-9 from the charity stripe; and Dan Akin muscled in 16 factors and 6 rebounds. As a crew, the Aggies shot 46% from the sphere, have been aggressive as they attacked the ring, and completed a season-high 27-of-31 from the free-throw line.
With the depth palpable within the enviornment half-hour prior tip-off, and a pupil part already crammed to the brim, the Aggies gamers elevated their play within the opening minutes and compelled 4 turnovers, which translated into 11 factors. It reached a crescendo on the finish of the primary half when three straight offensive rebounds resulted in an open Max Shulga 3-pointer to provide the Aggies a 44-25 lead simply earlier than halftime.
An hour later, the Aggies had matched final season’s win complete of 18 video games and booted the Lobos all the way down to fifth place within the Mountain West standings.
“Clearly, a fantastic recreation and a fantastic ambiance,” Odom stated. “Large crowd tonight; nice to have our college students packed like that for Spectrum Evening. Actually happy with the trouble and excited for our guys.”
Utah State performed its greatest protection of the season within the opening 20 minutes, the place it congested the paint with its bigs and contained the dynamic guard duo of Jaelen Home and Jamal Mashburn Jr. The Lobos shot simply 40% from the sphere within the first half, whereas its two stars mixed on 4-of-14 capturing for 9 factors.
Richard Pitino’s squad, which went undefeated in nonconference play and was beforehand ranked within the Related Press High 25 three days earlier, refused to roll over and stop.
New Mexico matched the world’s depth within the second half and shot 56% from the sphere to dig out of a first-half deficit. Home completed with 14 second-half factors and heart Morris Udeze added 10, and the Lobos reduce the Aggies result in 9 with 6:33 remaining within the recreation.
However Utah State’s offense assured the comeback fell brief.
Ashworth curled off a display screen by Taylor Funk, obtained the dribble handoff from Dan Akin, and buried a high of the important thing 3-pointer. A sequence later, Ashworth was double teamed on the perimeter and located a rolling Akin for a large open dunk.
The 2 performs ignited an 11-5 run, which was capped off by an Ashworth floater, to assist the Aggies take a 15-point lead with 4:49 to play — all however sealing the win.
“After half, we knew that they have been going to be aggressive in transition, and we actually acquired beat at instances,” Odom stated. “One of many greatest issues for us was that we needed to maintain scoring. We had some droughts — we had a little bit little bit of a drought there midway by. They closed the hole considerably and our guys needed to reply with our personal baskets and free throws and issues of that kind to have the ability to end the sport out.”
Tied with Nevada for third place at 7-3 in convention, Utah State opens a pivotal February with an enormous convention win. The Aggies will want that Spectrum Magic to stay round down the stretch, although.
“On the identical time, we’re understanding of the truth that it does not imply a lot aside from we have got Colorado State arising subsequent,” Odom stated of the importance of the win. “We have to be targeted on the subsequent recreation. That is what this convention is all about. No person’s stepping into the event proper now; it is a great distance from that.”