Utah State picked up its second win of the season Saturday night, defeating Lewis & Clark State 66-63 at the Smith Spectrum behind Jarobi Kemp's 13 points and 12 rebounds.
"Jarobi was really the player of the night," said Aggie coach Larry Eustachy. "He took good shots and was strong in his rebounding. He really stepped up for us."The only time the Aggies trailed all night was on the opening basket of the game by the Warriors Troy Schelb. The Ags then scored nine straight points and by halftime led 35-19.
In the second half, the Warriors closed within nine at 39-30, but the Aggies pulled away to win by 13.
The Aggies played without Bryon Ruffner, who has been forced to redshirt this year because of a back injury suffered against BYU earlier in the week.
"It hurts when you lose one of your best men," said Eustachy. "It's going to be difficult, but we will survive."
Trent Rose filled in for Ruffner and came up with nine points and four rebounds.
"As a team we're getting better each night," said Rose. "I need to concentrate and work hard at filling in for Ruffner."
Jon Wickizer scored 10 for the Aggies, while his older brother Nathan added seven in just one half of action. He sat out the second half because of the flu.
Schelb led Lewis-Clark with 13 points, while Randy Bakker added 12 and James Stoner 11.
The Aggies will now prepare for the University of Utah Wednesday in Salt Lake.