USU MBB: Ags manhandle Pokes in return to form
LOGAN — Utah State Men’s Basketball had a bad taste in their mouths from Saturday’s beat down at Boise State. On Tuesday night, USU bounced back. The Aggies walked all over Wyoming, snapping a two-game losing streak to the Pokes 83-63.
“The key to the game for us was our response after Boise State,” head coach Ryan Odom said. “Us just looking in the mirror and being honest with ourselves about how we played in that particular game and turning that around into an answer.”
Utah State continued its trend of immediate turnarounds after losses as the Aggies have won all three games they’ve played after a loss this season. Odom credits the team’s resiliency to their humbleness. He said they talked about “not thinking less” of themselves after the brutal loss, while also pivoting to think of their teammates more. That unselfishness showed as USU totaled 21 assists.
Forward Taylor Funk led the charge offensively with a stellar first half. The graduate transfer scored 18 points in the first 20 minutes including four 3-pointers. Funk credited his performance to the assists that set him up.
“It’s just kind of who we are as a team,” Funk said. “Shots just come to the open guy and it’s your responsibility to knock them down. Guys found me when I was open and vice versa.”
Funk recorded his third straight game with double-figure points and tied his season-high finishing with 22 points. He also grabbed five rebounds and dished out three assists.
The good shooting wasn’t just limited to no. 23. The Aggies combined to make 50.8% from the field — marking the 10th time this season the Aggies have shot over 50%.
Forward Dan Akin showed his resiliency when he returned to play after he exited the game with what appeared to be discomfort with his knee. When he returned, Akin dominated in the paint, securing nine rebounds and 12 points in the second half alone, pushing him to his fifth double-double of the year with 16 points and 15 boards.
“I think you saw what Dan can do with a little bit of room in there,” Odom said. “He was able to come up with a big game.”
Toward the end of the game, things evolved into a dunk contest. Guard Sean Bairstow and Akin showed off for the crowd of almost 8,000 with thunderous jams that came on drives and oops as the Aggies added insult to injury for the Cowboys.
This poster from Bairstow pushed the volume in the Spectrum past 11.
#2 no regard for human life😤
📺 @FS1 #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/356PqqMnL2
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) January 11, 2023
When asked about an unspoken dunk contest between the two, Akin had to concede.
“I think Sean got me,” Akin said. “That was a pretty nice body he got.”
Even Odom loved the show.
“You rather that than a layup,” Odom said. “When Sean goes down and hammers it, I mean, that’s a big-time play.”
With the win, USU improves to 14-3 on the season and 3-1 in Mountain West Conference play. Bairstow and the Aggies’ next chance for big-time plays comes on Friday night at Nevada. The game tips off at 9 p.m. MT and will be broadcast on Aggie Radio 92.3 FM.
Featured image by Sam Warner.