by Amos Naismith
January 15, 2006 (c) TrueAggies.com
Exclusive to TrueAggies.com

LOGAN, Utah -- Four Aggies scored in double figures as Utah State easily
put away fellow WAC newbies Idaho 44-27 on Saturday night.

Some of the usual suspects in Jaycee Carroll (19), Cass Matheus (14), and
Nate Harris (13) were the main contributors in scoring while Chaz Spicer came
off the bench to add 10 for the Aggies. Chris Huber also knocked in three of four
of his attempts from behind the arc for 9 points.

Although Idaho’s Tanoris Shepard tallied 22 and Keoni Watson mustered 14
points, the two-pronged Vandal attack was not enough for the Utah State attack
that came from all sides and every position.

The Vandals, who came to Logan with a 0-3 record in league play, jumped out to a quick lead in the opening minutes. The Aggies kept the score close and easily put a run together to gain the lead and keep it the rest of the contest. Although through the first half sloppy play and a determined Idaho team didn’t allow Utah State to run away with the game taking only a 31-24 lead into half-time.

Matheus took control of the game at the start of the second half as he scored 8 unanswered points for the Aggies. Cass’s run seemed to signal that the rout was on as home team ran away with the contest. They lead by as many as 30 – which the student section was quick to point out.

One of the most exciting plays of the half came off a Vandal turnover. On the run Durrall Peterson dished off to Harris who threw down a two-handed jam to make the score 44-27 and sending the crowd into a frenzy with 16:09 to go.

With the win, and a little help from New Mexico State who upset Hawaii 87-84 tonight, Utah State moves past the Warriors in the standings and now sits at 4 th place in the WAC. The Aggies biggest test of the season will come Wednesday, January 18, when they host the first place Lousiana Tech Bulldogs at the Spectrum. Tech is undefeated through four games in league play and 11-6 on the season.

You can email feedback, or comments and suggestions to Amos at amosnaismith@trueaggies.com