Nov. 17, 2001

Final Stats

BOZEMAN, Mont. - Guard Tony Brown scored 16 points to lead Utah State's basketball team to a convincing 66-51 season-opening victory at Montana State on Saturday. The game marked the first time USU opened the year with a true road game since the 1994 season.

"It was nice to get a win to open the season, especially on the road, because it gives these kids some confidence," said USU head coach Stew Morrill. "It was a fun win and hopefully it is something that we can build on."

USU, which has now won eight straight season openers, improved to 1-0 while Montana State fell to 0-2.

Brown, the only returning starter from last year's 28-6 team which advanced to the second of the NCAA Tournament, and point guard Ronnie Ross, who scored 11 points in his Aggie debut, were the only USU players to reach double-figure points. Newcomer Desmond Penigar added nine points, while Chad Evans and Jeremy Vague, who each made their first career starts up front, threw in eight and six points respectively

"We had a lot of different guys do different things well tonight," Morrill said. "All in all, just to find a way to win is something positive."

"We depend on everybody on our offense," said Ross. "Our big focus this week was to stop their transition and we were able to do that."

As per recent tradition, USU succeeded with defense and rebounding, limiting Montana State to 30 percent shooting and out-rebounding the Bobcats by eight (35-27). Meanwhile USU shot 52 percent from the field and hit 14-of-17 free throws.

"We got up there and got after them," Morrill said. "Our defense competed hard and there were times we were able to guard and that is something you have to be able to do to win on the road."

Brown hit six-of-11 attempts and added four rebounds, while Brennan Ray came off the bench to add a team-high seven rebounds and four points.

These same two teams will meet again in Logan on Dec. 4. Utah State's next game will be at Utah on Friday, Nov. 23 in a 7:05 p.m. tipoff. The Aggies will not have a home game until Nov. 28 when they host Idaho State.