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Logan • Utah State takes Step 2 toward the start of the regular season Friday night, when the Aggies play Cal State Monterey Bay in an exhibition game at the Spectrum.
Tipoff is 7 p.m.
USU comes off an 87-48 victory over Panhandle State in its exhibition opener. The Aggies start the regular season on Nov. 13 at Weber State.
"When you're playing exhibition games against teams from every level," coach Tim Duryea said, "I try not to look at the score. And I try to get our guys to not to look at the score. I want them to focus on every possession. …
"Like I told them, we aren't practicing to beat Panhandle State. We're practicing to beat Mountain West [Conference] teams and to get to the NCAA Tournament. To do that, you have to treat every possession with value."
Against Panhandle, junior forward Jalen Moore flashed the ability that makes him one of the top players in the Mountain West. In 21 minutes, he had 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three blocked shots.
"I was pleased with his aggressiveness," Duryea said. "He made some very good passes. We have a very good passing team, top to bottom, and Jalen is certainly one of our better passers. He also shoots the ball well. I'd like to get him a few more post opportunities but, all in all, he's a complete player."
Utah State finished 18-13 overall and 11-7 in league play last season, when it lacked depth, especially in the front court. This season, Duryea hopes players such as sophomore center Elston Jones, returned LDS Church missionary Quinn Taylor and transfers Lew Evans and Grayson Moore will lengthen the bench.
Jones had eight points and nine rebounds against Panhandle.
"Elston is taking baby steps and trying to do the right things," Duryea said. "We'd still like to see him be more aggressive around the basket on offense."
Grayson Moore, who sat out last season after transferring from Northwest Nazarene University, is Jalen Moore's brother. He had seven points and three rebounds in 15 minutes against Panhandle.
"Grayson … is shooting the ball with confidence," Duryea said. "He's playing confidently and he's practicing confidently."
Twitter: @sluhm —
USU's early schedule
• Utah State plays Cal State Monterey Bay in an exhibition game on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Spectrum.
• The Aggies come off an easy 87-48 victory over Panhandle (Okla.) State in their exhibition opener.
• USU opens the regular season Nov. 13 against Weber State at the Dee Events Center in Ogden.