Ags fall to Techsters despite Carroll’s 27-point game
So much for the luck that goes along with the USU men’s basketball team when Jaycee Carroll scores 20 or more points.
Carroll netted a game-high 27 points for the Aggies (20-9, 8-6 in Western Athletic Conference play), but the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs were unstoppable, shooting nearly 67 percent the entire game to defeat USU, 84-71, Saturday night in Ruston, La.
It was the second consecutive game the Aggies have lost when Carroll has scored 20 or more points.
It was also the third time this season the Aggies have dropped back-to-back games on the road.
Correcting an error made Thursday night against New Mexico State, the Aggies started against the Bulldogs the way they wanted to, leading by as many as six points and holding a 24-19 lead midway through the first half.
Then the tide turned.
The Bulldogs (10-18, 7-8) proceeded to go on a 22-2 run over the next six minutes, pushing their lead to as many as 15 points before ending the first period of play up 45-32.
Helping the Bulldogs in their first-half blistering of the Aggies was a 70.4 field-goal shooting percentage (hitting 19-of-27 shots). The Bulldogs also converted on six of 10 3-pointers in the first half.
The Aggies were held to a 40-percent conversion rate from field-goal range, which included five 3-pointers.
A big difference proved to be the Bulldogs out-rebounding the Aggies 16-8.
The 13-point Bulldog halftime lead was soon stretched to 27 in the second half thanks to a 16-2 run in the beginning minutes of the second half.
The Aggies fought back.
Over the course of the next five minutes, USU outscored the Bulldogs 18-5 to eventually come within 14 points of the home team’s advantage.
Unfortunately for the Aggies, the Bulldogs responded by scoring the next four points to build their lead and regain control of the game.
The Aggies never came closer than 11 points for the remainder of the game, losing by 13.
Aside from Carroll’s as-usual outstanding night, the only other Aggie to notch double figures in points was forward Chris Session. He had 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting to go along with six rebounds and 4-of-5 shooting from the free-throw line.
Aggie forward Chaz Spicer and guard Kris Clark each tallied eight points. Clark added five rebounds and two steals.
Durrall Peterson put up seven points, and Stephen DuCharme collected six.
The Bulldogs had four players notch double figures in scoring.
Drew Washington and Jerome Richardson each put up 14 points, while Trey McDowell and Chad McKenzie each ended the game with 13.
The Aggies ended the game by hitting 47 percent of their 3-pointers, but only 40 percent of regular field goals.
The Bulldogs, on the other hand, made 56 percent of their 3-pointers. Both teams put in 15 free throws.
Two games now remain for the Aggies. Though they are both in the Spectrum, things aren’t going to be easy.
The nationally ranked Nevada Wolf Pack comes to Logan Thursday for a 7:05 p.m. match-up with USU. The Fresno State Bulldogs come to the Spectrum to finish out the regular season March 3.
-sbhislop@cc.usu.edu