USU’s Ray was a rebounding terror, corralling a career-high 10 boards
Brennan Ray mopped the court and then proceeded to mop the boards against the University of California Santa Barbara, coming away with 10 rebounds in Utah State’s 72-64 victory.
Out of a time-out with 3:45 left in the first half, Ray found a wet spot on the floor as he attempted to inbound the ball. He then picked up a mop and cleaned the moisture off the floor before resuming play.
“I guess I was getting physical with that mop, it was pretty wet,” Ray said. “The little ball boy was just a little intimidated.”
After finishing the first half with seven rebounds in 11 minutes of play, the forward sat out to start the second half, but re-entered with 13:15 left on the clock.
Once back in the game, Ray immediately got into the action, taking a charge from Adama Ndiaye along the baseline.
Ray left the game once more, but would only sit out 1:35, staying in the remainder of the game, primarily for his defense.
“[Ray] is just such a quality defender, not only on the ball but off the ball,” Head Coach Stew Morrill said. “When we need defensive stops, we need him in the game.”
Ray said, “It’s a good thing I can play ‘D’ because I’ve missed some free throws down the stretch.”
Not only did he play defense, but Ray continued to battle on the boards grabbing three rebounds in the second half. He finished the game with 10 rebounds, seven defensive and three offensive, for a game and career high.
“I’d like to think it was the right place at the right time tonight,” Ray said. “My thing is defensive rebounding and I was able to focus on that tonight.”
Besides defense and rebounding, Ray also takes on a leadership role.
“Being a senior and I tend to be outspoken myself, [leadership] is one role I really take upon myself, getting this team to focus down the stretch,” Ray said. “Coach really looks to us seniors to set the example.”
Not only is Ray a senior, having been with the Aggies four years, he is also the oldest player on the team at 27.
“He’s damn near 30,” Morrill said. “I tell him all the time how old he is. He’s real solid, he’s real mature. You’re coaching a man out there.”