Freshman Jaycee Carroll drilled five of six three-pointers en route to
24 points to lead Utah State to an 84-60 basketball victory against Cal
State Fullerton in Big West Conference action here on Thursday. With the
win USU improved to 12-5 overall and 3-3 in conference play. The Titans
fell to 8-6 and 3-3.
Carroll's output was his second best of the season as he had a career-best
28 points against UC Santa Barbara earlier this month. He made eight of
10 field goal attempts while leaving the court twice in the first half
due to an ankle sprain.
Carroll had eight points at halftime and then scored nine points in a
three-minute span early in the second half to give USU a 60-36 lead with
13:57 remaining in the game. Carroll's scoring spree was part of a 15-5
run for the Aggies, who then coasted to the 84-60 win.
Three other Aggies reached double figures as Nate Harris scored 12 points,
Spencer Nelson 11, and David Pak 10. Nelson and Harris each had a team-best
seven rebounds.
Cal State Fullerton was led by Ralphy Holmes, who scored 14 points and
had a game high nine rebounds. Bobby Brown chipped in 11 for the visitors.
The teams played close through most of the first half and were tied at
20 with 8:40 to go in the period. With USU leading 28-27, the Aggies closed
the half on a 10-0 run to take a 39-27 advantage into the lockerroom.
USU continued its onslaught outscoring the visitors 21-9 to open the second
period and put the game away. Jason Williams came off the bench to have
one of his better games of the season as he made four of five shots for
nine points. He also had six rebounds, four assists and two steals in
26 minutes of play.
For the game USU outshot CSF 57.1 percent to 38.5 percent. The Titans
were just six of 28 from three-point range, while USU connected on eight
of its 14 three-point attempts. In addition to Carroll's five of six night
from beyond the circle, Chris Huber hit two of three attempts and Williams
was one of one.
USU used a huge advantage at the free throw line making 12 of 21 shots,
while CSF was four of six.
