Not Again: USU drops fourth straight after last second dagger
LOGAN – Utah State’s late-game struggles continued Thursday night in the Spectrum. After their previous four out of five losses came on the final shot of the game, this one was no different.
After a back and forth second half, Boise State’s Marcus Shaver Jr. found the ball in his hands with the shot clock off. Shaver Jr. had previously gone 0-10 during the game, but that didn’t stop him from stepping back off defender Steven Ashworth and drilling a long three with 1.7 seconds remaining.
The Aggies were unable to get a shot off and the Broncos prevailed 62-59 for their 11th straight win. “Tough,” Ashworth said about the loss. “That’s the word to describe tonight.”
Ashworth had nine points and four assists while playing all 40 minutes. He also had the task of guarding Shaver Jr. and did a commendable job. He held him scoreless before his last-second dagger.
Justin Bean tallied his 12th double-double of the season against the Broncos with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Bean’s 38 career double-doubles put him in third place in the Utah State history books for career double-doubles.
Utah State struggled in the paint against the Broncos, an area of the game they usually thrive. Boise State was able to notch 40 points in the paint and 23 second-chance points coming from 16 offensive rebounds.
The Broncos were able to control down low throughout the game thanks to senior forward Mladen Armus. Armus came into tonight’s matchup averaging just 6.8 points per game but torched the Aggies for 22 points and 19 rebounds.
“Yeah, I mean, he’s a beast,” coach Ryan Odom said of Armus. “He’s a problem in there. He just waits right down by the rim; the ball comes off and he’s got a great nose for it.”
The Aggie’s average margin of defeat for their five conference losses is just under four points.
They continue to fight and keep games close at the end despite being down two starters in three of their last five games and down at least one starter in all five.
Utah State was without guard Rylan Jones, who was out on concussion protocol and remain without senior Brock Miller who is sidelined with a nagging back injury.
Even with several Aggies down and numerous close game losses, coach Odom is still optimistic about the direction of the team. “The growth is there,” Odom says. “We can’t let the results deter us right now.”
With recent injury struggles, numerous players have gotten increased playing time we didn’t see earlier in the season. Sean Bairstow has been starting in the place of Miller and averaging over 10 points per game, while Max Shulga and Trevin Dorius have also gotten increased time and made an impact on both ends of the floor.
The Aggies will have another tough test next week, taking on the San Diego State Aztecs at home Wednesday at 9 pm.