USU Hoops overcome double-digit deficit, edge out New Mexico in OT
Albuquerque — Utah State defeated New Mexico 90-87 in overtime to pick up its first win of conference play.
After not playing in ten days due to Covid-19 cancelations, the Aggies appeared sluggish to start the game. At the end of the first half, Utah State trailed 27-42, the largest deficit at halftime of the season.
They allowed the Lobos to shoot 10-of-15 from 3-point range in the half and shot just 3-of-12 themselves. Utah State shot 10-28 from the floor in the half, with RJ Eytle-Rock and Justin Bean leading Aggie scorers with seven.
Trailing as much as 17 in the game, the Aggies needed a spark.
“I was hoping we would have played better offensively in the first half.” head coach Ryan Odom said, “We began to figure it out in the second half. A ton of big plays throughout the game that happened from different guys.”
Utah State started the second half on an 8-0 run, closing the lead to nine. Sean Bairstow had one of the best highlights of the game, throwing down a thunderous dunk over his opponent to cut the lead to seven.
“I was lucky to have a front-row seat for that dunk,” Justin Bean said. “I’m glad I wasn’t the one under the basket at the end of it.”
After a score by New Mexico, Steven Ashworth hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to six with 11:44 to go in the game.
The Aggie defense stepped up in the second half. Switching to a 1-3-1 defense zone for a portion of it, they forced seven turnovers in the first 12 minutes of the half and got the lead to two points at the eight-minute mark.
With 5:34 left in the second half, a crossover from Rylan Jones and a layup gave the Aggies their first lead of the game. Jones went out with an injury with one minute left and did not return. Utah State took a 76-73 lead with 15 seconds, but New Mexico hit a 3-pointer with three seconds left.
Utah State immediately inbounded and Steven Ashworth heaved a half-court shot and made it, but assistant head coach at New Mexico, Eric Brown, called a timeout before the inbound and the basket was waived. A missed last attempt by Justin Bean sent the game to overtime.
In overtime, Utah State took care of business and finished off New Mexico 80-77 for their first win in Mountain West Conference play.
“It was a great college basketball game. A great atmosphere.” Odom said.
Justin Bean, who played 43 of 45 total minutes, finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds and four steals RJ Eytle-Rock had 16 points on 6-8 shooting. Ryan Odom called it his “best game of the year.”
The Aggies next game is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 12 at No. 20 Colorado State.