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LOGAN -- Junior forward Tai Wesley scored 24 points on 9-of-10 shooting to lead the Utah State Aggies over the New Mexico State Aggies Saturday night at the Spectrum, 81-63.
Senior guard Jared Quayle shined in his senior night, hitting 17 points to go along with seven rebounds.
Stellar defense by wingmen Pooh Williams and Tyler Newbold kept New Mexico State's top scorers in check, giving Utah State the edge. What may have been even better for Utah State is that they were able to celebrate their Western Athletic Conference Regular Season title in front of its home fans.
Quayle received a standing ovation from Utah State fans during the pregame events, and Quayle said that the moment was an accumulation of two great years at Utah State.
"It's un-describable. It's a great feeling. When I came off the court I had chills going down my back. It's been two great years here. It's a great place to play and I've loved it," Quayle said.
Utah State struggled to score in the first half and it was Utah State's defense that kept them in the game during the first half.
New Mexico State was averaging about 78 points per game coming into the contest. New Mexico State senior guard Jonathan Gibson was averaging about 18 points per game, while junior guard Jahmar Young was third in the WAC averaging 21 points per game.
Williams held Young to 17 points and Newbold held Gibson to just five points on 2-of-8 shooting from the floor and 1-of-5 from long range.
"I thought Tyler Newbold's job defensively was spectacular," Aggie Head Coach Stew Morrill said.
Once again it was defense that won the game for Utah State in the second half. Utah State allowed New Mexico State to shoot only 37 percent from the field and 20 percent from the 3-point arc during the second half.
Utah State struggled in the first half offensively and did not lead in the first half until sophomore forward Brady Jardine hit a jumper nearly halfway through the first half.
With one minute left in the half, Jardine threw down a reverse dunk and then picked Young's pocket at half court on the ensuing possession, fell down on the ball, and called timeout. Young became somewhat angry and aggressive and the referees assessed Young a technical foul. Utah State gained momentum and the lead for good after the technical foul call.
"It sure got the fire going," Morrill said.
The Aggies have now won three WAC titles in their first five years in the conference and both players and coaches have enjoyed the streak.
"We're really proud of winning three championships in five years. I couldn't have imagined that when I came in [to the WAC]," Morrill said.
Wesley was impressed with Utah State's turnaround this season, "It's unbelievable. Going from 0-2 in the conference to winning the conference outright is unbelievable."
Utah State will face the Boise State Broncos in the first round of the WAC Tournament in Reno, Nev. on Thursday at 12 p.m. However Coach Morrill said the Aggies will just enjoy their win for now.
"On Monday we'll be tuned in on how to win the tournament, but not tonight," Morrill said.
