Corwin Woodard scored 24 points as Utah State defeated Old Dominion 77-74 Tuesday night in a first-round game of the Cowboy Shootout tournament at the Casper Events Center.
In the early game, Bobby Traylor scored a career-high 22 points and led three other Wyoming players in double figures as the Cowboys defeated Idaho State 75-67.Woodard scored the final four points of the game for the Aggies, who overcame a second-half surge by the Monarchs to secure the victory and a chance for the tournament title.
Utah State coach Larry Eustachy said the victory provided some welcome relief for his Aggies, who were coming off three tough losses.
"It was a matter of time," he said. "Our kids got a break and I thought they deserved it. I think our players said it was time for a win."
Utah State (3-4) will take on Wyoming (6-2) in the championship game tonight. Old Dominion (5-4) will face Idaho State (3-3) in the consolation game.
The Aggies did not trail until late in the contest when Old Dominion overcame a 9-point deficit. Mike Jones hit a pair of free throws to give the Monarchs their first lead of the game, 56-55, with 8:50 to go.
Utah State led 35-31 at the half.
Woodard hit three consecutive buckets off the fast break to stake the Aggies to a 45-38 lead at the 15:32 mark of the second period.
Utah State matched its biggest lead of the game with 13 minutes left when Jarobi Kemp hit a 3-pointer and Eric Franson followed up with a bucket to give the Aggies a 50-41 advantage.
Shortly after that, the Monarchs put together a 13-4 run, capped by Jones' free throws.
The teams traded the lead until the final minute, when Woodard took over to secure the victory.
A 3-point attempt by Jones bounded away at the buzzer.
Kevin Swann led five Monarchs in double figures with 15.