Silas Mills made 17 of his 18 shots to set a tournament single-game scoring record with 39 points in just 26 minutes of play Sunday, leading Utah State to a 103-86 victory over Hawaii-Hilo for seventh place in the Big Island Invitational.
Mills was also the leading scorer through the three games of the tournament with 89 points. He had a team-high nine rebounds Sunday.Sunday's win was USU's only victory in the three games, but it met some of coach Larry Eustachy's criteria for the weekend.
"It wasn't a wipeout at all. We had a great trip. We wanted to win a game and be a better team," Eustachy said in a radio interview. "We're leaving the island a much better team.
Senior center Eric Franson, who made 11 of his 16 shots against the small but quick Vulcans, added 27 points and seven rebounds.
USU's young guardline began getting the hang of Eustachy's philosophies, said Franson, and junior-college transfer forward Antwan Smith followed up a strong showing Saturday with another good outing Sunday, making six of eight baskets for 17 points and adding six rebounds. Smith missed all of the 1994-95 sason with a knee injury.
Point guard Duane "Pops" Rogers had nine assists, and guard Justin Jones continued a personal trend of not having made a turnover this season.
The Ags, however, had 23 turnovers to H-H's 17.
As for Mills, Eustachy said he told him prior to the game that he is "a product of his practices." Eustachy said Mills has had his best seven to 10 practices of the season in the last 10 days. "I've never had a guy make so much progress," says Eustachy.
The Aggies finished the game shooting 69 percent. The Vulcans, who have a goal of shooting within eight seconds of gaining possession, but they began to tire the second half.
USU returns home early Tuesday to prepare for Saturday's home game against Lewis-Clark State.
The Ags will probably be without forward Chris Russell (surgery on a torn thumb ligament) and guard Reggie Tucker (left knee arthroscopic surgery) until just before the Big West season opens in January. Eustachy redshirted forward Maurice Spillers, as promised, and dismissed guard Phillip Kennedy from the squad.