LOGAN, Utah – The Utah State Aggies take on the New Mexico Lobos at the Smith Spectrum on Wednesday.
The Aggies last game was a road win over the Fresno State Bulldogs, 70-53. The Lobos last game was an 8 point home win over the Air Force Falcons, 81-73.
The Lobos had a difficult task coming to Logan. The Aggies had won 10 of their 11 home games before facing New Mexico.
The first half
The Aggies came out hot from deep. They hit three on their first possession to take an early 6-2 lead.
Trevin Dorius got an early and one after crashing the offensive glass.
Breaking the glass 💪 @USUBasketball pic.twitter.com/oRKf8mdma9
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 2, 2023
After getting his second basket, New Mexico went on a 4-minute scoring drought. Utah State took advantage of the shooting woes, taking a 13-5 lead.
WELCOME TO SPECTRUM MAGIC‼️🟠🟡
📺 @FS1 @taylor_swishh | #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/iSWQOaI1n1
— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) February 2, 2023
Stephen Ashworth played well for the Aggies early on. He scored 6 early points without missing a beat.
The Aggies shot 70% from the field early on while holding the Lobos to 30%. They took a 25-9 lead.
And DUNZZZZ🔥
📺 @FS1
#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/nEs5toXuIv
— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) February 2, 2023
The Lobos played excellent defense and tightened up the offense over the next few minutes of play. They went on a 14-4 run to get within striking distance.
Jamal Mashburn, Jr. with seven first half points. #GoLobos
📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/WeXydEdiOp— Lobo Basketball (@UNMLoboMBB) February 2, 2023
The Aggies shot 50 percent from three in the first half.
The ONLY place to be on a Wednesday in Logan is Spectrum Magic Mayhem🔥‼️
📺 @FS1
#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/OpscIcGYRm
— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) February 2, 2023
The Aggies went on a 19-4 run to close the first half.
Utah State was ahead at halftime, 46-27.
HALF | @stevenAsh_15 leads The Aggies by 10 points, USU leads UNM with 20 minutes left🔵🤘#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/FvXYH8bjjp
— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) February 2, 2023
Second half
Trevin Dorius opened the second half for the Aggies with a powerful dunk.
.@DoriusTrevin why are you so mad at the rim??🤯
📺 @FS1 #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/1IC6uWhWvt
— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) February 2, 2023
USU continued to build its lead with good shooting and even better defense.
When you think you got this but you really didn’t🛑❗️
📺 @FS1#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/ly9QGW1OJE
— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) February 2, 2023
The Aggies opened up a 20-point lead with 15 minutes left in the game.
TURN IT UP💦🤫
📺 @FS1 #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/H3teLNupvl
— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) February 2, 2023
However, the Lobos kept fighting. They went on a 12-2 run to cut the lead to 10.
The previous lead of 20 points has been cut in half! #GoLobos
📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/o68jMBCtJy— Lobo Basketball (@UNMLoboMBB) February 2, 2023
With ten minutes left in the game, the Lobos cut their lead to single digits.
Shaun Bairstow was the leading scorer for the Aggies. He had 18 points on 7/10 shooting with seven minutes left in regulation.
Utah State regained a 10-point lead late in the second half.
Ashworth AKA Splashworth AKA Stacheworth
📺 @FS1 @stevenAsh_15 | #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/JgESWLfw8B
— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) February 2, 2023
The specter bounced all night in Logan. The crowd erupted after Dan Akin’s dunk.
CRAZY‼️🟠🟡
📺 @FS1 #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/HwpqWijzpM
— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) February 2, 2023
USU maintained its lead by double digits for the rest of the game. Aggies win, 84-73.
Chandler Holt is a digital sports producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in everything related to basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.