Utah State men's basketball had its chances to win but was sunk by a pair of last-second free throws and fell, 79-77, in overtime at UNLV on Saturday night. The loss drops the Aggies to 11-8 on the year and 4-3 in the Mountain West. UNLV moves to 11-9 and 2-5 with the victory.
UNLV scored the opening basket of the game and continued to lead throughout the first half. The Aggies kept within striking range, tying the game at 11-11 with 13:01 to play and keeping the margin within single digits throughout most of the opening frame. Utah State shooters chilled over a two-and-a-half minute span late in the first half as the Rebels put together an 8-0 run and took a 37-27 lead with just more than a minute to play. A dunk by Collette going into the break put the halftime score at 37-29.
Utah State opened the second half on a 12-2 run to take its first lead of the game, 41-39, with 14:23 to play. The teams then battled through six lead changes until a 3-point shot by freshman guard Julion Pearre put the Aggies up 52-51 with 8:19 on the clock. Utah State led by five, 64-59, with just more than one minute to play, but UNLV came back down the stretch and hit a runner in the lane with three seconds remaining to force overtime.
The Aggies opened the extra period with a 6-0 run behind baskets by sophomore wing Jalen Moore, sophomore guard JoJo McGlaston and Collette. UNLV then made its run, putting together a 7-1 run to tie the game at 75-75 with 1:26 to play. Another basket by Collette kept the Aggies in front, 77-75, with just less than a minute to play, but back-to-back free throws by the Runnin' Rebels tied the game at 77-77 with 38 seconds left.
McGlaston had a look from a straight-away three with seconds left but missed the shot, and UNLV's Cody Doolin was fouled on the rebound. The senior hit both free throws and swept the victory away from the Aggies in the 79-77 defeat.
Collette led Utah State with 24 points, and he was followed by junior guard Darius Perkins with 19. Moore continued his double-digit scoring streak, collecting 12 points for his 17th consecutive game in double figures. Moore also added a career-high 14 rebounds for his third career double-double. McGlaston narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and a career-high 10 rebounds.
Moore and McGlaston helped the Aggies out rebound UNLV, 42-33, marking a season high for USU and just the third time this season Utah State has out rebounded its opposition.
UNLV freshman guard Rashad Vaughn led all scorers with 31 points and also led the Rebels with nine rebounds, two blocks and three steals. Sophomore forward Christian Wood and freshman guard Jordan Cornish also turned in double figures, scoring 11 points apiece.
Utah State returns to the court Tuesday night, hosting the University of Wyoming in a game that is set to tip at 7 p.m. MT. Fans can watch the game live on ROOT Sports, or listen to the game on the Aggie Sports Network with Al Lewis on the call.
Kyle Cottam is the Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations at Utah State University.