Ags sneak by pesky Northeastern squad

NORTHEASTERN 54 UTAH STATE 56

    LOGAN, UTAH — Brady Jardine scored 15 points and pulled down 13 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double to lead Utah State past Northeastern 56-54 Saturday night.

    Tai Wesley added 14 points and Brockeith Paine had 13 for the Aggies (4-1). The Huskies (2-2) were led by Chaisson Allen with 18 and Joel Smith with 15 points on five 3-point shots.

    USU never led in the second half until 3:10 remaining when Wesley hit two free throws for a 49-48 advantage. After a free throw by Allen and a 3-pointer from Smith, Jardine made a layup and Wesly threw down a dunk to give USU the lead back, 53-52.

    Allen broke free for a layup, but Brian Green and Paine would then make free throws in the final 32 seconds for the Aggies, while Alex Harris missed a half-court shot at the buzzer for the Huskies.

    USU shot only 3-of-18 from 3-point range and 38 percent from the field, while the visiting Huskies shot 56 percent from 3-point range, but were slowed by 12 turnovers to only five for the Aggies.

    Neither team was able to gain momentum in a tight, low-scoring first half. There were four lead changes and the score was tied four times in the half, which ended 26-26. Jardine led USU with nine points and 12 rebounds at the half.

    Jonathan Lee also dropped in two 3-points for Northeastern in the loss.