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Logan - With bigger fish to fry in the not-too-distant future, Utah State grilled little Union (Tenn.) University on Friday night at the Spectrum.
Junior Jalen Moore scored 16 points and Chris Smith contributed 10 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Aggies to a 73-49 win over the Division II Bulldogs.
Utah State coach Tim Duryea used 12 players in the game, with each playing at least six minutes. Everyone scored. Everybody handed out at least one assist. As a result, the Aggies improved to 3-0.
A more difficult schedule awaits, however.
Utah State plays host to Utah Valley on Tuesday before visiting fifth-ranked Duke on Nov. 29. Games against Missouri State, BYU and UC Irvine quickly follow.
"We talked about that in the locker room," Duryea said. "I told our guys, 'Here we go. No more non-Division I teams. Let's get going and figure out that we're playing people that look a little more like us, physically.' And I think our guys are ready for that. … We're heading for bigger and better things in a hurry and we have to be ready."
Utah State, which improved to 35-5 against Division II opponents, started slowly against Union. The Aggies converted only three of their first 12 possessions, although it was good enough for an 8-5 lead.
From there, Utah State dominated.
Sophomore forward Elston Jones started a 26-5 blitz by scoring from underneath. Junior college transfer Shane Rector followed with a slick cross-over and pull-up jumper. Over the next nine minutes, the Aggies built a 34-10 lead. By halftime, it was 38-14.
In the opening 20 minutes, the Bulldogs missed 24 of their 30 field-goal attempts and committed 10 turnovers. Only three players scored, led by guard Ashanti Day, with five points.
The highlight of the lopsided second half came with 15 minutes remaining: Moore grabbed a rebound and raced up the floor. He fired to Julion Pearre on the wing. Pearre tried to lob the ball back to Moore at the rim, but a Union defender tipped the pass.
No problem.
The ball deflected high into the air and settled neatly into the basket, giving Pearre what will likely be his oddest two points of the season and staking the Aggies to a 50-22 lead.
"Sometimes, as a coach, you can feel the improvement," Duryea said. "… I thought this week our guys gave off the feeling they improved and took a step forward. And we're going to have to do that. We have a rough stretch coming up. But we're looking forward to it."
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R Jalen Moore scores 16 points as the Aggies cruise to a 73-49 victory over the Bulldogs.
• Chris Smith contributes 10 points and 11 rebounds as the Aggies improve their season record to 3-0.
• Union misses 24 of its 30 field-goal attempts in the first half and shoots 29.4 percent for the game.