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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
LOGAN, Utah (AP) -- Utah State coach Stew Morrill could only
watch as No. 22 Utah missed four shots in the final 28 seconds.
"It was one of those times when your life flashes before your
eyes," Morrill said after the Aggies' 58-57 victory Wednesday
night. "I really thought that last one was going in, but we got
away with a win."
With 28 seconds left, Utah (4-3) set up a play for Travis
Spivey, who drove into traffic and attempted a 6-foot jump shot.
Curtis Bobb got the rebound for Utah State (5-1), and called a
timeout as he was falling out of bounds. Bobb was then fouled on
the inbounds play, but missed both free throws.
Utah then cleared the lane for Bradley, who missed on a finger
roll and a tip attempt. Teammate Mike Puzey missed another tip
before the buzzer sounded.
"It was a great effort to crash the boards as well as we did,"
Utah assistant coach Dick Hunsaker said. "To his credit, it was a
good effort by Bradley. It just didn't go down."
Hunsaker is directing the Utes while coach Rick Majerus nurses a
knee following surgery. Majerus did not make the trip and will
likely not be with the team until later in December.
Tony Brown scored 18 points and Shawn Daniels added 15 to lead
the Aggies.
Daniels scored eight points during a 10-1 run in the second half
that gave Utah State a 58-53 lead. Utah drew within a point on
Kevin Bradley's 3-pointer and Nate Althoff's free throw.
Brown was 4-for-7 and hit all eight of his free throws. He also
had six assists.
"He made some great passes tonight and I think it was his best
game of the year," Morrill said.
Utah led 38-33 at the half following five consecutive 3-point
shots, three by reserve Phil Cullen.
Morrill began tinkering with his defense in an attempt to slow
down the outside shooting by the Utes.
"When you play a more talented team, sometimes you have to do
some things to keep them off balance, so I changed the defense up a
little bit," Morrill said.
"We switched it up a time or two. It could have backfired, but
it seemed to work. They missed some shots, which has to happen, and
we boarded the ball much better."
The taller Utah team outrebounded Utah State 18-9 in the first
half and 35-30 overall.
Hunsaker said the Utes are still looking for leadership and
still learning their roles.
"This time of the season, we realize how new we are together,"
he said, adding that the team felt the loss of Majerus. "It's been
a difficult time. I think we have some unfair expectations, based,
in part, on Rick's reputation. We might be that good but we're not
that good yet."
Bradley and Cullen each scored 13 points for Utah, and Althoff
added 12.
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ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard
Utah Clubhouse
Utah State Clubhouse
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