LARAMIE, Wyo. (ABC4 Sports) – Coming off its most disappointing performance of the season, a 19-point loss at home to New Mexico, the Utah State basketball rebounded nicely with a hard-fought 71-67 victory at Wyoming Tuesday night.
The Aggies (20-3, 10-2 MW) overcame a halftime deficit to secure its 34th all-time 20-plus win season, while hitting that mark for the 21st time since 2000.
Ian Martinez led the way with 19 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal. Drake Allen also scored in double-figures, going for 11 points with four boards, an assist, two steals and a block.
The Aggies were the aggressors early in this one, using an early 9-2 run to get out to a 15-8 lead, but that was followed by five-straight misses from the field as the hosts scored seven-straight to even things up at 15-apiece.
USU struggled to find offensive rhythm in the first half, connecting on just 39 percent of their shots from the field and 17 percent of their shots from deep in the first 20 minutes. Despite the team’s shooting struggles, the Aggies were able to collect seven offensive rebounds and outrebound Wyoming 17-12 in the half to keep the game within five points. At the break, the Cowboys led 35-30.
Momentum swung in Utah State’s favor following the intermission, as the Aggies scored 15 of the second half’s first 17 points, including an 11-0 run. The streak flipped a five-point halftime deficit into a seven-point advantage, but, similar to the first half, was met by seven-straight points from the Cowboys. Utah State pushed right back though.
While the sides exchanged blows for the majority of the second half, the Aggies put the clamps down late to force six-consecutive misses from the floor for the Cowboys, holding them without a made field goal for over five minutes of action.
With a lead in hand, Utah State iced the game from the charity stripe, making seven free throws in the final minute.
Neither side led by more than nine points at any point, with the Aggies playing with a lead for 27:39 and the Cowboys leading for 7:49. The game featured 10 lead changes.
The Aggies won the rebounding battle 36-32, with 13 offensive boards, led by a seven-rebound effort from Mason Falslev.
Utah State finished the game shooting 40.7 percent (22-of-54) from the floor, 15.8 percent (3-of-19) from behind the 3-point arc and 77.4 percent (24-of-31) from the free throw line. Wyoming shot 45.3 percent (24-of-53) from the field, including 26.1 percent (6-of-23) from 3-point range and 81.3 percent (13-of-16) at the charity stripe.
Utah State will now remain on the road as it travels to Fresno State on Friday, Feb. 7. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.
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