Morrill chalks up 200 win
USU’s 65-49 win over CS Bakersfield, only in their first year competing in the NCAA’s Division-I, could be described as underwhelming.
“That’s the kind of game I was expecting coming off the holiday break,” Head Coach Stew Morrill said of the sloppy affair.
USU had 17 assists, barely eclipsing their 16 turnovers. Junior guard Kris Clark, starting at point guard, led USU in assists with five while nearly everyone was guilty of turning the ball over; six players turned it over at least twice.
Morrill tried to be upbeat but was clearly perturbed by his team’s performance in his post-game conference. When a reporter asked him about getting his 200th win at USU, Morrill answered, “It means I’ve been here a damn long time.”
Bakersfield was led in scoring by center Carl Damus, with 12 points, and guard Dwuan Rice, with 11. The visitors even took an 11-10 lead early on off a Rice three-pointer.
USU reasserted control, rolling to a 21-15 margin as Bakersfield started the game out 2-11 on threes. Heading into halftime, the fans were treated to an exciting up-and-down series of possessions. A Bakersfield three was answered quickly by Jaycee Carroll; it would be his only three of the night. Then as the half expired, sophomore forward OJ Harrison blocked Rice’s three attempt. Such rapid action was a rarity in this game, which saw both teams attempt 17 free throws.
Harrison, who had five points, three rebounds and an assist, said, “I wanted to come in and provide energy. I felt pretty comfortable.”
Morrill said he wasn’t going to complain about the win and explained the ugly stretches of play by his team, saying, “We’re not that good of a team. We’ve got to scratch and fight.”
Durrall Peterson, who was 1-6 shooting, agreed with his coach about the holiday break affecting the team’s play.
“The holiday was good, I got to go home, spend some time with the family, and come back rusty,” he said. “We held a team to under 50 points, I think that’s pretty good.”
Stephen DuCharme continued his hot play at center for USU. The JUCO transfer hit six out of seven shots to lead USU in scoring with 13. Senior forward Chris Session, who had 10 points, and Carroll with 11, were the other two Aggies in double figures. Carroll led the team with four rebounds.
Peterson said that while the Aggies have seemed to play down to the level of their competition, “The good thing is we don’t have to worry about that anymore because every team we’re about to play [in the WAC] is going to be as good as us or better than us.”
USU held Bakersfield to 31.3 percent shooting for the game.
-graham@cc.usu.edu