USU beats Idaho State 69-56, improves to 6-4

LOGAN – Four Aggies had double-digit scoring nights in USU’s 69-56 win over Idaho State Friday. The 13-point win was the largest margin the Aggies have won by all season, improving their record to 6-4.

“It feels good to actually beat someone by double digits,” sophomore Jalen Moore said. “It’s a good confidence boost for us.”

Two 3-pointers by Darius Perkins and one by Moore helped USU jump out to an early 12-2 lead, but the large lead didn’t last long. Sixteen first-half offensive rebounds for the Bengals led to 13 second-chance points and cut the Aggie lead to 30-24 at the half. Idaho State outrebounded the Aggies 45-27 throughout the course of the game.

“We defended really well,” USU head coach Stew Morrill said. “I mean, if we would have rebounded the ball our defensive stats would have been unbelievable. That is our biggest Achilles heel, still.”

USU’s lead fell to one point with 16:42 left in the game, but that was as close as it would get. Over the next 5:39, the Aggies held the Bengals scoreless. During that time, Moore scored three points off free throws and sophomore guard Jojo McGlaston scored four, including a 3-pointer he hit while being fouled. McGlaston finished with a career-high 14 points.

“We were waiting for that,” Moore said of McGlaston. “You know, he’s a great player. We need him this whole year. He needs to stick with us. We have confidence in him. He came out and played hard tonight. He played good defense. His offense came finally.”

Utah State’s largest lead of the night was 17 points. It was the first game this season the Aggies never trailed.

“It’s been rough the whole season holding the lead, but we stayed with it,” McGlaston said. “So it means we’re maturing as a team and can only get better.”

Moore led the Aggies with 20 points. David Collette and Perkins each contributed 13.

The Aggies are now 2-0 in this year’s World Vision Classic tournament. They will face South Dakota State tomorrow night at 8 p.m. The Jackrabbits are also 2-0 in the tournament after a five-point win over CSU Bakersfield Friday and an overtime win against Idaho State Thursday.

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