Ags get back on winning track with non-conference win
There’s nothing like a game in the Spectrum to cure what might be ailing the Aggies. Days after having their nation-leading 19-game winning streak snapped, USU added to another streak – make it 32 in a row at home, a new Spectrum record.
Led by what may have been their most balanced attack of the season, the Aggies used defense and a return to shooting form to run away from the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners Wednesday night, 78-57.
Coming off their first loss in more than two months, the Aggies took a break from conference play to host the Roadrunners. Behind some hot outside shooting – they started 5-5 from beyond the arc – CSB hung with USU for most of the first half.
In fact, a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Alex Johnson at the 6:55 mark of the first half gave the Roadrunners a 24-23 lead.
From that point on it was all Utah State.
“I didn’t think that we came out as well as we would have liked, but give them credit, they were five out of five from 3,” said USU head coach Stew Morrill.
Junior guard Stavon Williams ignited an 18-2 run for the Aggies as they closed the half on a tear. Williams started a 3-point barrage, connecting on three in a three-minute period to give the Aggies the momentum and a 15-point lead heading into the break.
“He can get streaky now, that’s something he can do,” said Morrill of Williams’ run. “It’s nice to see him jump up and make some shots like that.”
Williams was 4-of-6 shooting in the first half, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, as he tallied 11 of his team-high 13 points in the opening period.
“I knocked that first one down and then hit that second one, and knew a couple more were going to follow,” Williams said.
In the second half, the Roadrunners opened with a 4-0 run and pulled to within 11, but the Ags would buckle down again and add to their lead. Turning CSB’s own weapon against them, USU again found the range from 3-point land, and Jared Quayle, Jaxon Myaer and Tyler Newbold all got in on the action.
When the dust settled, there was less than 12 minutes to play and the Aggies held a 64-42 advantage.
“We’ve got such a great shooting team all around, everyone can shoot,” Williams said. “Once one person hits and the crowd gets into it, everyone is just automatic.”
As well as USU played on offense, their defensive effort may have been even better. The Aggies held the Roadrunners to 37.5 percent shooting for the game, forced them into 11 turnovers and out rebounded them 40-21, including a 14-7 advantage on the offensive glass.
With seven minutes to go, it was one of those defensive plays that led to an offensive highlight.
As a CSB player was driving to the basket, senior Gary Wilkinson stripped the ball. Wilkinson then looked up court and found a streaking Williams. With only white jerseys around, Williams threw the ball down with authority, much to the delight of the Spectrum crowd.
In the final five minutes of the game, CSB found the range again from outside and was able to pull to within 12, but that’s as close as they would get.
USU’s starters returned to secure the victory, outscoring the Roadrunners 9-0 over the final 4:26, en route to the 21-point victory.
“We shared the ball and we had a lot of good passes,” Morrill said. “If you look at the stat sheet you would say we played pretty well. I’m not sure we played that well, but we did what we needed to do. We will take it and get ready for Saint Mary’s.”
The Aggies now have a short time to prepare for their next game, as they must travel to Moraga, Calif., to take on the Gaels for ESPN BrackeBusters weekend this Saturday. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN 2 at 3 p.m.
“If we play Aggie basketball, we can play with anybody in the country,” said sophomore Pooh Williams. “We’ve just got to keep hitting it hard on the practice floor and taking care of business and we’ll be okay.”
Play of the Game
Wednesday night’s non-conference affair featured two spectacular plays that were too tough to choose from (making up for the lack of spectacular plays in Boise). Therefore, the play of the game goes both to Williams breakaway dunk, and freshman Brady Jardine’s authoritative putback. Jardine’s flush came after Pooh Williams drove the baseline and put up a layup that rolled off of the rim and right into the waiting arms of the freshman.