Ags off to rocky start in WAC play
In a game marked by runs and costly turnovers, the Aggies lost 79-70 to Fresno State on the road, Saturday, Jan. 6 to fall to 0-2 in WAC play and 10-5 overall.
Senior forward Chaz Spicer posted a career-high 20 points as well as two assists to lead the team in scoring. Spicer was perfect from behind the free-throw line and the arc as he nailed two three-pointers.
Junior guard Jaycee Carroll contributed 16 points and hit two three-pointers. Despite the high number of points, Carroll struggled with shooting, hitting only 25 percent on field goals and 33 percent on three-pointers. He also committed a costly three turnovers.
Dominic McGuire led the Fresno State Bulldogs with an impressive double-double, scoring 19 points and snagging 10 rebounds. Ja’Vance Coleman also added 16 points.
Despite a good 7-5 start by USU, the Bulldogs went on an 11-3 run to lead 16-10. A short while later, the Bulldogs took it to the Aggies again with a blistering 15-0 run to increase the lead to 33-15. The Aggies went into the break down by 17 points.
The beginning of the second half proved better for USU as the team went on a 21-8 run to edge within seven points of the lead with 6:53 remaining.
Fresno State responded with seven straight points after which the Aggies took their turn with a 13-4 run to bring them within five with 1:23 left in the game.
The Aggies played tight defense, stopping two straight attacks by the Bulldogs but then committed two straight offensive turnovers to negate the staunch defensive stand.
The Aggies struggled to shoot consistently enough to post enough points on the board to down the Bulldogs. USU shot only 38.7 percent from the field but was perfect from behind the free-throw line. The Aggies also shot 13.5 percent from beyond the arc.
The Bulldogs shot 50 percent from the field and 32 percent from behind the three-point line to provide the offensive edge. On the defensive end, Fresno State grabbed 22 rebounds, blocked 10 shots and forced 17 turnovers.
The Aggies will return to the Dee Glenn Smith Spectrum for a four-game homestand, starting with Utah Valley State College on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 7:05 p.m. The Aggies will then resume WAC play against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Jan. 13.