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In spite of their 0-2 start to Mountain West Conference play, the Aggies can find some solace in another year that began in underwhelming fashion.

The last time Utah State basketball lost its first two conference games in league play was the 2009-2010 season. The Aggies responded by winning 14 straight and eventually advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

That's the long view. The wholly optimistic one.

The short view is the frustrating 0-2 start to MWC play with the New Mexico Lobos (9-5, 2-0) coming to Logan for a 9 p.m. tip Wednesday night at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Utah State (6-7, 0-2) is riding a three-game losing streak and has seen several late leads dwindle and eventually slip away this season.

"New Mexico is really playing well," USU coach Tim Duryea said Tuesday. "They've had two really good wins in a row and it looks like they are playing their best basketball of the year."

The Aggies will need to rely on the trio of seniors Jalen Moore and Shane Rector as well as freshman combo guard Koby McEwen to earn their first conference win of the year. The three combine to average 43 points per game this season. Moore's streak of double-digit scoring advanced to 26 consecutive games in USU's 78-73 loss at Air Force over the weekend.

McEwen is the top freshman in the MWC, averaging 13.8 points per outing.

"We need to go to him a little more late in games and in special situations," Duryea said about McEwen. "We are going to start doing that with him being the closer and the ball going through his hands and allowing him to make a decision, make a shot and take a shot. Our team needs to head in that direction. He has all the qualities you want in those situations because he is not afraid to fail."

While USU is 21-8 all-time against the Lobos, New Mexico has won four of the last six meetings between the teams. Senior forward Tim Williams leads the Lobos both in scoring and rebounding with 17.6 points per game and 7 boards per contest. Dynamic scoring guard Elijah Brown averages 16.7 points per game.

"You know they are going to play through Tim Williams on the block and do a lot of things to get Elijah Brown shots," Duryea said. "They are going to run him off screens, set ball screens for him and [isolate] him. They are two of the most talented players in the league."

New Mexico topped Fresno State 78-73 at home in its conference opener Dec. 28 and topped rival San Diego State on the road 68-62 on Sunday for its first win at SDSU since 2012.

New Mexico at Utah State

P At Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, Logan

Tipoff • 9 p.m.

TV • ESPNU

Radio • 610 AM, 1280 AM, 102.1 FM

Records • Utah State 6-7, 0-2; New Mexico 9-5, 2-0

Series history • Utah State leads 21-8

Last meeting • Utah State, 80-72 (Feb. 9, 2016)

About the Aggies • Senior Jalen Moore needs 21 points to tie Preston Medlin for No. 16 on USU's all-time scoring list (1,368 points). … Freshman Koby McEwen leads MWC freshmen in assist/turnover ratio with 1.5. … USU is 5-2 all-time against the Lobos at home. … USU is riding a three-game losing streak. … The Aggies lost four straight earlier this season.

About the Lobos • New Mexico is 4-2 against USU under coach Craig Neal. … In his four years at the helm, Neal is 68-43 in Albuquerque. … Senior center Obji Aget leads with the team with 13 blocks this season, while junior guard Elijah Brown has 19 steals. … New Mexico beat San Diego State 68-62 despite leading for only 1 minute, 57 seconds during the game.