Williams, Wesley lead Aggies in rout of 49ers
Utah State (6-2) bounced back to their winning ways Tuesday night against the Long Beach State 49ers (5-5). Senior forward Pooh Williams scored a career-high 19 points and dished out six assists to lead the Aggies over the 49ers, 81-53.
“I was just trying to be aggressive,” Williams said. “Coach had been on me about being aggressive and taking good and smart shots. That zone that they were playing left me open a few times and I hit a couple that got me going. That helped out a lot.”
Morrill said, “He (Williams) didn’t start particularly well, but boy did he play well. He made a lot of plays for himself, but more plays for others. He was really in a good rhythm and he’s been in a good rhythm a lot of nights for us. That’s fun to see.”
USUhead coach Stew Morrill was also able to get his 300th win in the blow-out victory over the 49ers.
“I’m happy for him and I’m excited that I could be a part of the team to help him get,” Williams said. “It’s a big deal. We’re all excited to help him get that.”
Wesley said, “Coach Morrill is a great coach. I’m sure this one was inevitable. He was going to get his 300th win, and I’m just happy to be a part of it. It’s been my pleasure and my privilege to play for Coach Morrill. He’s everything you need and want in a coach.”
The Aggies started the game on a 14-2 run to put the 49ers quickly out of reach. Part of that run involved an alley-oop dunk by Williams on a pass from Wesley. Immediately after that play, 49ers head coach Don Monson was ejected for unsportsman like conduct.
“I thought one of their players was taunting our bench several times in a row,” Monson said.
Monson thought that junior guard Brockeith Pane was taunting the bench, and when he tried to plead his case the officials threw him out of the game.
“We can’t have that,” Morrill said of the incident. “I don’t know for sure what happened. I didn’t see it happen, but obviously that will not be tolerated if it did happen. He’ll learn from it. Brockeith (Pane) is a good kid. He’ll learn from it.”
Two-free throws from junior forward Lin Chang and 3-pointer from fellow junior forward Eugene Phelps cut the Aggie lead to five, but that is as close as the 49ers would get to the Aggies. USU out-scored the 49ers 25-5 through the first 10 minutes of the second half.
“I think they were a little worn out,” Morrill said. “It’s a tough second game of a trip. They lose their coach early. That can also be a little tough, a little bit of an adjustment. We’ll take it. We had a lot of guy do some good things and it’s a good win. It’s nice to get away from them and get some kids minutes. That’s always positive stuff.”
Wesley, who had struggled on the road trip due to foul trouble, finished the night with 16 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. The Aggies played much better when he was on the floor and it is obvious that he needs to be on the court for the Aggies to be good.
“That’s been my biggest adversity throughout my career is fouling,” Wesley said. “I’m going to work as best I can on not fouling and staying in the game.”
Morrill said, “Thank the Good Lord. It’s about time. Thank the officials. Thank whoever. It’s about that he gets to play some minutes. He didn’t have any dumb ones (fouls). Not any ones that gave me more grey hairs.”
USU was able to contain the speedy 49er guard Casper Ware. Ware led the 49ers with 11 points, but he didn’t reach double-digits until late in the second half. Junior forward T.J. Robinson, who scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against the Aggies last season, finished with nine points and 11 rebounds.
The Aggies now prepare for the Cal-State Bakersfield Roadrunners on Saturday. Tip-off against the Roadrunners is slated for 7:05 p.m. from the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
–ty.d.hus@aggiemail.usu.edu