Ag men’s basketball jump out 24-2 at Long Beach State, win big
After winning big over UC Irvine two night’s before, Utah State Head Coach Stew Morrill was a little concerned his team would come out flat against Long Beach State Saturday.
But a 24-2 run to start the game put things away early for the Aggies, leaving the 49ers, well, flattened.
“We feel like we really have it together,” Aggie guard David Pak said. “We’re just feeling more comfortable.”
Playing just 30 minutes from his Orange, Calif., home, Pak had his most comfortable and together night of the season in front of his friends and family.
Knocking down 5-of-6 three-point attempts, Pak led the way for the Ags offensively and finished the game with 19 points.
“I’m confident now,” Pak said. “I know where everyone’s supposed to be. I know where I’m supposed to be.”
Morrill said Pak, who is only in his third season of playing organized basketball, is beginning to understand the complex, Division-I offense.
The inside duo of Spencer Nelson and Nate Harris combined for 25 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists Saturday en route to the Ags’ second-straight victory away from the Spectrum.
Starting conference play 0-3 on the road, Utah State is now 7-3 in conference – just a half game out of second place.
“We needed some road victories and we got the job done,” Morrill said.
Cass Matheus, coming off the bench, added 11 points and five rebounds for USU.
Chris Jenkins, the only Long Beach player to finish in double digits, had 10 points. Jibril Hodges, the team’s leading scorer coming into Saturday’s game, only had six points.
The road test will continue for the Ags, who won’t play in the Spectrum until Cal State Northridge comes to town on Feb. 10.
Up next, Utah State will tipoff with Cal Poly (4-14) Thursday and UC Santa Barbara (7-11) Saturday.
In their last meetings, the Ags beat the Mustangs 76-65 and the Gauchos 80-70.
Both games will start at 8:05 p.m. and will be broadcast on 94.5 FM.
-acf@cc.usu.edu