Box Score | Quotes | Notes

RENO, Nev. - Utah State went into the half with a 35-28 lead, but encountered a second-half lull and ultimately lost on the road at Nevada on Wednesday night, 73-68. The loss puts the Aggies at .500 on the year with a 13-13 mark and a 5-10 ledger in the Mountain West. Nevada improved to 17-10 and 9-6 in the Mountain West, picking up its first sweep of Utah State since the 2011-12 season.

The Aggies shot 41.9 percent (13-of-31) from the floor in the first half, compared to 34.6 percent (9-of-26) by Nevada, and forced 11 Wolf Pack turnovers en route to the 35-28 advantage going into the break. However, Nevada came out as a different team in the second half, shooting 58.1 percent (18-of-31) from the floor and committing just four turnovers while Utah State shot 34.4 percent (11-of-32) over the final 20 minutes.

Overall, Utah State shot 38.1 percent (24-of-63) on the night, 27.3 percent (6-of-22) from behind the 3-point line and a season-high 93.3 percent (14-of-15) from the free throw line, including a flawless 9-of-9 during the second half. Nevada wrapped up its night, shooting 47.4 percent (27-of-57) from the floor, 30.8 percent (4-of-13) from behind the 3-point line and 75.0 percent (15-of-20) from the charity stripe.

USU was led by junior wing Jalen Moore with 16 points, adding seven rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in a team-high 36 minutes. He was followed by senior guard Chris Smith with 12 points, redshirt junior forward Lew Evans with 11 and junior guard Shane Rector with 10. Evans paced the Aggies on the glass, recording 11 rebounds for his third double-double of the season.

Nevada was led by Tyron Criswell with 23 points and 16 rebounds, coming off the bench and playing in 38 minutes. He was joined in double figures by Cameron Oliver with 15 points, D.J. Fenner with 14 and Marqueze Coleman with 10. Criswell's 16 rebounds also helped the Wolf Pack win the battle of the boards, collecting 39 to the Aggies' 33.

Utah State opened the first half hot from the floor, connecting on six of its first seven shots and taking a 16-8 lead into the first timeout. The start powered the Aggies to a 35-28 lead going into the half with Nevada only getting as close as two points over the opening 20 minutes.

USU had an opposite start in the second half as Nevada came out of the locker room with a 16-4 run to take a 44-39 lead with 13:58 on the clock. The margin stayed within five following the run, until a layup by Fenner gave Nevada its largest lead of seven, 67-60, with 2:35 to play. Utah State fought back and closed to within one behind back-to-back treys by senior guard Darius Perkins and Smith. The difference was still one when Moore drove to the basket with contact on Utah State's next possession, but missed the shot and Nevada collected the rebound and successfully converted free throws down the stretch for the win.

Utah State will be back in action on Saturday night, hosting San Jose State in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Tip for the game is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Single game tickets for the 2015-16 season are now available and begin at $17. For more basketball ticket and Mountain West Tournament information, fans can contact the USU Athletics Ticket Office over the phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or 435-797-0305 during regular hours of operation. Fans can also buy their tickets in person at the USU Ticket Office inside the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum or online by clicking on the "Buy Tickets" tab at www.utahstateaggies.com.

Utah State men's basketball new and information is available on Facebook (facebook.com/usumen'sbasketball) and on Twitter (@Aggiehoops). Fans can also get USU men's basketball highlights on YouTube (youtube.com/utahstateathletics). Aggie fans can follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter (@usuathletics), on Facebook (facebook.com/usuathletics) or on Instagram (@usuathletics).

-USU-