By C. Jake Williams

January 18, 2008 | Utah State outlasted a physical Boise State team Thursday night to give Stew Morrill his Aggie career record 226th win. The final score was 82-78.

Morrill, who needed just 306 games to break the total set by E. Lowell Romney in 382 games coached, was honored with a video tribute and the game ball after time expired. True to form, Morrill remained humble and grateful after his historic night in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

"Somebody could still call it a failure when it's all over, but it's a little harder now," said Morrill.

Jaycee Carroll, the senior All-American candidate who is chasing the Utah State career scoring mark, hit a three-pointer with 28 seconds left to give USU a 77-73 lead. The trey was Carroll's last score of the night, giving him 29 points. He needed 30 points to tie Greg Grant's all-time record, and barring a complete meltdown or injury will break the record shortly after 7:05 p.m. Saturday against Idaho in the Spectrum.

Boise State's Reggie Larry answered Carroll's three with one of his own seven seconds later to bring the Broncos within one, but five USU free throws closed the door on the late comeback bid.

Boise State senior guard Matt Bauscher controlled a sloppy game early. Bauscher hit three treys in the first seven minutes and held Carroll scoreless as Boise State took a 13-8 lead. The two teams combined for 12 turnovers in the first eight minutes of action.

Utah State answered Bauscher's hot hand with a 16-2 run, including a Carroll three-pointer with eight minutes left in the half, to make the score 24-15.

The half ended with USU leading 37-31. Carroll had ten first-half points.

Boise State came out of halftime determined to bully the Aggies in the paint. The Broncos' physical effort out of the break helped them take their only second-half lead when Reggie Larry hit a layup to make the score 44-43. Eighteen seconds later Carroll was fouled on a trey attempt and knocked down all three free throws. USU never trailed again.

"He kinda scores in his sleep," Morrill said of Carroll after the game.

Utah State is now 13-5 on the season and 3-0 in conference play thanks to its eight-game winning streak. "This weekend's not near as special for any of us if we don't step up and beat Idaho," said Morrill.

Carroll needs just two points to surpass Greg Grant's career total of 2,127 points. Morrill was hoping Carroll would break the record against BSU so they could share the spotlight, but Carroll came up short.

"That was my plan, you know, to get real close and then just let him have his night," joked Carroll.

TOP, Aggie fans let their feelings be known. BOTTOM, Aggie defenders contest a short jumper. / Photos by Tyler Larson