USU Live Game Blog

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Final: USU wins 84-60 with a dominating second half defense and Jared Quayle leading the way with a 13-point, 13-rebound performance. Tai Wesley added 18 points and 10 rebounds. Next up: The winner of the Louisiana Tech vs. Fresno State game. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. (mountain time) Friday night. No TV for that one.

3:49 Second: Aggies lead 73-57 and will be trying to limit damages with each offensive possession. Unless it’s a wide open layup, don’t expect USU to put up a shot early on the shot clock. Brady Jardine went up for what looked like an open dunk, but BSU’s Arnold closed quickly and rejected it cleanly. The two exchanged good-natured trash talking after the play. Arnold got the block, Utah State got the ball back and was still up by 15 points.

6:54 Second: Utah State starting to take control with clock working in its favor. Leading 66-53, USU is working the clock and fighting for offensive rebounds then slowing the pace down. Aggies still have a foul to give, meaning they can extend a possession that way, too. Balance, composure and ball control have been huge for USU.

8:54 Second: Jared Quayle wraps a pass around a defender to a wide open Brian Green in the corner for an uncontest 3-pointer to make score 61-48. Ags in control, but Tai Wesley made a silly play trying to block a shot and got his fourth foul and a trip to the bench. USU really needed him on the floor as a post offensive player, a passer and a very valuable ball handler against the Boise State press. Quayle has 13 points and 11 rebounds.

11:45 Second: Boise State had a bunch of fouls in a hurry and suddenly the Aggies are in the bonus. That means we’re going to see a steady diet of passes to Tai Wesley in the post (he is abusing whoever BSU sends to guard him) and Quayle driving. Aggies now lead 54-44 after a Bronco turnover. Wesley with 12 points, Quayle has 13 after an attention-grabbing offensive rebound tip following a Wesley miss. Aggies shooting 51.2 percent. Boise just 39.1 percent.

15:23 Second: Pooh Williams is taking over. The defensive specialist has 13 points, eight in the second half on a variety of drives, jumpers and free throws. Aggies get a huge series of points, stops, points, stops and more points to push their lead back to 11 at 48-37. But Tai Wesley gets a little excited again and gets third foul on an offensive charge as he flies into the paint and blows over BSU player. Wesley has 10 points and seven rebounds.

Halftime stats: USU is shooting 46.7 percen (14-30) and has made 5 of 10 3-point shots. Boise State is hitting only 37.1 percent from the floor (13-35) and is only 1-8 from 3-point range. Ags enjoy a 23-16 rebound edge but have turned the ball over eight times. Those turnovers have been converted into seven Boise State points. Jared Quayle leads USU with nine points, six rebounds but only one assist and two turnovers. If there is a big area of concern, aside from the turnovers, it’s fould. Quayle, Brady Jardine and Tai Wesley each have two personal fouls. Nobody else on the team has a foul yet. Wesley also has eight points and seven rebounds to go with three assists, two blocked shots and two steals. If Wesley and Quayle stay on the floor, USU should be fine. Boise State was down by 12 points early, but used the pressure defense to get steals and transition baskets, making a nice run at the end to keep things close.

Halftime: USU 35, Boise State 30. Utah State had to play a strange and unusual substitution pattern down stretch to avoid foul trouble for Wesley, Quayle ad Jardine. Result was a few unneeded turnovers and easy transition baskets for the Broncos. BSU’s Noonen hits a 3-pointer from wing with one second left to close out the half. USU’s Morrill can’t be happy at this point, but Aggies have the lead.

2:51 First: We get our first Wild Bill appearance of the game. The mad man from Utah State is dressed as a show girl — a really ugly show girl. Boise now using some pressure defense. Robert Arnold blocks Wesley twice on one possession then hits a 18-foot jumper to make it 31-25 as Utah State calls timeout to get things calmed down.

7:28: USU takes a 25-16 lead as Aggie coach Stew Morrill starts using his bench. Matt Formisano enters game to give Tai Wesley a rest. That seems designed to keep Aggie legs fresh. Three games in three days will wear a team down. Jaxon Myaer steps in now to give Jared Quayle a rest and grabs a rebound.

11:23 First: Ags fight off Boise State charge, reclaim lead and momentum with a 16-12 lead as Brian Green pops in a 3-pointer from corner and Wesley posts up Okoye for an easy layup. Bads news is Jardine picks up two quick personal fouls and takes a seat with Bendall back in the game.

14:11 First: Boise State forces ugly USU turnovers and converts in transition to take a 10-8 lead thanks to a 8-0 run. Pooh Williams answers with a 3 pointer on wing to make it 11-10.

18:25 First Half: Boise State opens up cold and calls a timeout after Pooh Williams hits baseline jumper to give Aggies a 6-0 lead. Bendall and Quayle also with buckets for Aggies.