USU wins ugly against SJSU
Stew Morrill’s post-game mood said it all Saturday night.
The Utah State head coach was displeased despite the fact the Aggies picked up a 78-73 victory over the San Jose State Spartans (10-13, 2-8 in Western Athletic Conference play).
The Aggies (18-6, 8-1) lost the lead with five minutes left in the first half, regained it in the second half to lead by as many as 15, and then let the Spartans get as close as three in the waning seconds.
“We were very fortunate to win this game,” Morrill said. “I thought San Jose State played well. They manhandled us on the offensive rebounds. They beat us on the dribble so much we couldn’t block off. When it wasn’t that, we just didn’t block off. I thought we weren’t really physical enough. I didn’t think we were very good.”
If the Aggies repeat Saturday night’s performance at Nevada Monday night, Morrill said it will be ugly.
“If we play this unphysical, we’ll get beat by 30 at Nevada,” Morrill added. “If we play this unphysical, it’s guaranteed. (The Spartans) just manhandled us. Our posts ought to be embarrassed.”
The Spartans out-rebounded the Aggies, 37-29-including a 17-10 advantage on offensive boards.
Aggie big man Gary Wilkinson ended with seven rebounds-two offensive-to complement 15 points. Forward Stephen DuCharme had four rebounds and five points. Tai Wesley had zero rebounds, 13 points and four fouls.
“Coach was trying to keep us focused this whole week,” Wesley explained. “Coach was telling us we just shouldn’t relax. It’s kind of tough because looking at (San Jose State’s) record, they’re at the bottom of the WAC.”
Morrill confirmed repeatedly warning the team to not get complacent because of the Spartans’ record. He said he knew San Jose State would come into the game with fire because they were beat Thursday at Nevada by 38 points.
“There’s nothing you can do,” Morrill said. “You try, you try, you try. When you quit trying, you need to quit coaching, but it’s up to (the players).”
Aggie senior guard Jaycee Carroll, who ended with a game-high 26 points and 11 rebounds, gave a few reasons for the Aggies’ lack of response to Morrill.
“He kept warning us not to let that happen, but nevertheless it happened tonight a little bit,” Carroll said. “I don’t know. We don’t believe him or we think we know better. I hope coach knows we are still with him.”
In the first half, the Spartans held the Aggies to a 38.7 shooting percentage from the field and were able to hold a lead for the final five minutes of the half.
SJSU’s Tim Pierce nailed a 3-pointer with 5:37 remaining to tie the score at 23.
On the other end, USU’s Desmond Stephens turned the ball over and then intentionally fouled San Jose State’s Jamon Hill to prevent an easy layup.
Hill made both free throws and Spartan DaShawn Wright put in a basket to give the visitors a four-point lead. A Carroll jumper with 27 seconds left tied the game going into the locker room.
In the second half, the Aggies had the lead for the first four minutes. The Spartans took a two-point advantage and then the Aggies went on a 12-0 run.
“It was our defensive intensity and organization,” Carroll said of the better stretch in the second half. “We’re pretty good when we get some stops and get out and run.”
The hosts never gave the lead back, but Pierce made them sweat with a 3-pointer with two seconds left to pull within three.
As for Monday night’s Nevada game, Carroll said the Aggies should be ready.
“There will be a greater tendency for us to get fired up because it is Nevada,” he said.
-samuel.hislop@aggiemail.usu.edu