Dec. 29, 2000

Box Score

LOGAN, Utah (AP) - Fueled by a 15-2 run to start the second half, Utah State University flew by The University at Albany 88-43 Friday night.

The Aggies were led by guard Tony Brown, who scored 15, and shot 5-of-10 from beyond the three-point stripe. Four Aggies scored in double figures, including reserve Toraino Johnson, who also tallied 15, for a career high.

The visiting Great Danes were led by Sam Hopes, who scored 13 on 4-of-5 shooting.

The win came in the second game of the Gossner Holiday Classic, hosted by Utah State.

With the victory, USU moves to 9-2, while the struggling Great Danes, in their second year of Division I basketball, drop to 2-9.

The Great Danes shot only 20 percent in the first half and 26.6 percent for the game. USU held Albany's leading scorer, freshman E. J. Gallup (17.7 ppg) to 10 points.

Sparked by Brown, the Aggies took a 38-14 lead at halftime. USU was also helped by an 8-2 run at the end of the half, as USU began to break down the extended zone press employed by the Great Danes.

USU next plays Air Force Academy in Saturday's Gossner championship matchup, while Albany will face Cornell in the consolation game.