Dec. 22, 2001

Final Stats

LOGAN, Utah (AP) - Desmond Penigar and Tony Brown combined for 46 points to lead Utah State to an 81-71 victory over Pacific Saturday night.

The Aggies (2-0 in the Big West, 8-1 overall) have won 29 straight games at home, and are 26-1 all-time against Pacific (7-3, 1-1) on their home floor.

Penigar went 8 of 10 from the floor, 3 of 3 from 3-point range and 7 of 9 from the free-throw line on his way to 26 points, while Brown finished with 20 points, four steals, three assists and three rebounds.

Mike Preston made 8 of 9 shots and equaled his career-high with 18 points for the Tigers. Maurice McLemore finished with a career-best 17 points.

The Aggies broke out to a quick 12-2 lead in the first 3:13 of the game, and never trailed in the contest.

A 3-pointer by Jono Metzger-Jones pulled UOP to within 25-24 and led to a Utah State timeout with 6:05 to go in the first half. But Brown hit a 3-pointer after the time out and the Aggies outscored the Tigers 12-4 over the final six minutes of the half.

A 9-2 run midway through the second half gave Utah State a 69-55 lead with five minutes remaining. The Aggies were unable to close the Tigers out, however, and UOP charged back. Two free throws by David Bunts pulled Pacific to within 76-68, and after USU guard Ronnie Ross missed an early jumper instead of trying to eat up some time, McLemore stroked a 3-pointer to get the guests to within five points.

Utah State called a timeout with 1:48 to go and head coach Stew Morrill removed Ross. With backup Thomas Vincent at point guard, the Aggies converted 5 of 6 free throws down the strech to secure the victory.

Pacific guard Demetrius Jackson, the team's leading scorer coming into the game at 16.2 points per game, attempted just five shots and finished with five points.

Utah State is 40-17 all-time against Pacific and have won eight of the last nine meetings between the two schools.

At 8-1, the Aggies are off to their best start since the opened the season with a similar mark in 1984-85.