3 keys to Utah State’s 83-64 win over Colorado State
The Aggies have won 11 consecutive games going back to Dec. 8
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Utah State guard Rollie Worster drives to the basket as Colorado State guard Isaiah Stevens (4) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Logan, Utah. Eli Lucero, The Herald Journal via AP
Trent Wood is a sports writer for the Deseret News.
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Utah State just keeps winning.
The Aggies might be as hot as any team in college basketball right now, which was on display Tuesday night at the Spectrum in Logan.
Utah State defeated the Colorado State Rams 83-64, improving to 12-3 (9-0) on the season.
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Utah State guard Brock Miller (22) takes a shot as Colorado State guard Kendle Moore (3) and guard Isaiah Stevens (4) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP, Pool) | Eli Lucero, The Herald Journal via AP
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Utah State guard Marco Anthony takes a shot as Colorado State forward Adam Thistlewood (31) and guard David Roddy defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP, Pool) | Eli Lucero, The Herald Journal via AP
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Utah State guard Brock Miller (22) drives to the basket as Colorado State forward Adam Thistlewood (31) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP, Pool) | Eli Lucero, The Herald Journal via AP
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Utah State guard Steven Ashworth, left, dribbles the ball as Colorado State guard Kendle Moore defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP, Pool) | Eli Lucero, The Herald Journal via AP
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Colorado State guard David Roddy takes a shot as Utah State guard Sean Bairstow (2) and Utah State center Neemias Queta (23) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP, Pool) | Eli Lucero, The Herald Journal via AP
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Utah State center Neemias Queta (23) grabs an offensive rebound against Colorado State guard Isaiah Rivera and guard David Roddy (21) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP, Pool) | Eli Lucero, The Herald Journal via AP
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Colorado State guard P.J. Byrd (5) tries to distract Utah State guard Brock Miller (22) as he shoots a three-pointer during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Logan, Utah. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP, Pool) | Eli Lucero, The Herald Journal via AP
The Aggies have now won 11 consecutive games going to back to Dec. 8, including nine straight games to open Mountain West Conference play.
Here are three keys to the Aggies’ latest victory:
Can you say Neemias Queta?
The reigning MWC Player of the Week, Queta was as good as ever against the Rams. In the first half alone he accounted for 10 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and two assists, helping USU to a 44-29 lead at the break.
The second half was more of the same and he finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds for yet another double-double, while adding three blocks and two assists.
As always, his presence on the defensive end was invaluable, but he finished as the Aggies’ second leading scorer and was quite simply the best player on the floor from the opening whistle to the final buzzer.
Whether it be Rollie Worster with the drive-and-kick or Queta passing out of a double-team, the Aggies had plenty of attempts from behind the arc and made good use of them. USU attempted 19 3-pointers and made 10, shooting 55.6% from behind the arc.
By way of comparison, Colorado State attempted 27 3-pointers, but only connected on nine.
Brock Miller led the way for the Aggies, shooting 6 of 10 from 3-point range — he finished with a game-high 20 points — while Steven Ashworth, Alphonso Anderson and Sean Bairstow each added shots from distance.
Throughout their current winning streak, the Aggies have been dominant on defense and that continued against the Rams.
CSU’s David Roddy and Isaiah Stevens came into the game averaging 15.8 and 15.4 points per game, respectively, and they finished with a combined 25 points, on 9 of 19 shooting.
USU held Colorado State to 32% shooting in the first half and 40% shooting in the game, including 33% from behind the arc.
The Rams also turned the ball over 15 times and were soundly beaten on the boards.
