Aggies hold on for 74-60 victory over Concordia

By Craig Morris

November 10, 2008 | What looked like a blowout on paper turned out to be quite the competitive game as the Aggies held on for a 74-60 exhibition victory over Concordia.

Led by Tai Wesley and Gary Wilkinson, both with 14 points, Utah State got an early 20-point lead, only to let the scrappy Stingers right back into the game.

Leading 45-27 at the half, the Aggies let Concordia go on a 13-0 run to start the second half. The first unit did not score in the first four minutes of the second half. It wasn't until the second unit had been on the floor for another two minutes that Brady Jardine hit a jumper from the wing to end the scoring drought.

The Stingers' comeback was led by Damian Buckeley, who scored 15 of his 23 points in the second half. The comeback fell short as a late score from Wesley and a three-pointer from junior college transfer Jared Quayle put enough distance between the two teams to secure the win.

"We weren't ready -- we laid an egg out there," said Wesley. "Give them credit. They came to play"

The Ags played well enough to escape the loss but know they have a long way to go to get ready for WAC play.

"That was an exhibition game and it was quite the exhibition," said USU coach Stew Morrill. "We have a lot of people that have to figure out a new system and to figure out the things we do."

Thirteen players saw action in the game as the coaching staff searched for a group that could get the job done.

As the season is just getting under way, the team looks for ways to improve.

"We have to come out and be ready to play and get down and play good, hard defense the way Aggie basketball is meant to be played," said Wilkinson.

The Aggies have high hopes for the season as they look forward to hosting Montana State-Northern on Friday at the Spectrum.

"We will get better," said Morrill. "They want to get better and they are disappointed in their play in the second half. We will make some progress."

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