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USU looks for payback against Lobos Saturday

After dropping two straight games in heartbreaking fashion, Utah State will face New Mexico on the road Saturday where the Lobos boast an impressive 9-2 record.

Home to one of the most hostile venues in the Mountain West, New Mexico is just the latest in top-tier Aggie opponents.

To avoid extending its losing skid to a third game, USU will need added toughness on the road at The Pit.

“We are not very tough physically and mentally,” USU head coach Stew Morrill said following Tuesday’s loss to Boise State. “21 games in, we shouldn’t not have confidence. We shouldn’t not play tougher than that, so it’s disappointing.”

Seniors Deshawn Delaney and Hugh Greenwood make up the core of New Mexico’s squad. Greenwood, averaging 11 points and five rebounds per game this season, hit a dagger three-pointer in the Lobos’ 66-60 victory over USU in January.

USU had a two-point advantage against New Mexico in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum before a questionable foul on David Collette meant the freshman forward was done for the day. Frustrated at fouling out during the game’s crucial final minutes, Collette drew a technical foul to provide the Lobos with a critical four-point swing.

The game is just one of several close losses the Aggies have faced this season.

“They’ve got to be tougher,” Morrill said. “They’ve got to get a loose ball. They’ve got to get a rebound when you’ve got to have it. They’ve got to make a free throw when the game is on the line. That’s just basketball.”

Lobo head coach Craig Neal will be happy to play the Aggies in the friendly confines of The Pit, crediting the Spectrum crowd for being a competitive place to play even by the Mountain West’s standards.

“Tough spot,” Neal said of the Spectrum. “It was one of the two toughest spots (Utah State and SDSU) to play in the league.”

The Aggies have to find a solution for New Mexico’s strong zone defense, which is holding Lobo opponents to just 38 percent shooting this season. Four USU players scored in double digits Tuesday against the Broncos, led by Collette’s 17 and junior guard Chris Smith’s 16.

— logantjones@aggiemail.usu.edu

Twitter: @logantj