LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Utah State freshman guard Rollie Worster flirted with a triple-double, something that has only has only happened three times in USU history and hasn't happened since the 1987-88 season, as he finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and nine assists to lead the Aggies to an 83-74 victory at UNLV on Wednesday night.
Worster was one of five Aggies, all starters, that logged double figures during the game, as he was followed by junior guard Brock Miller with 15, juniors Justin Bean and Neemias Queta with 13 points apiece and redshirt junior guard Marco Anthony with 12. Worster's nine rebounds matched his career high and tied him with Bean for the team high. His nine assists were also a career high and part of 21 dimes by the Aggies, marking the fifth time this season that USU has logged 20 or more assists in a game.
Worster continued to stuff the stats by logging a career-high-tying three steals, tying UNLV's Bryce Hamilton for the game high.
After struggling to connect from the floor in the first game against the Runnin' Rebels on Monday night, Utah State's offense clicked on Wednesday as the Aggies shot 50.0 percent (31-of-62) from the floor, a season-high-tying 52.6 percent (10-of-19) from behind the arc and 64.7 percent (11-of-17) at the free throw line. Utah State (13-5, 10-2 MW) remained dominant on the glass, outrebounding UNLV 41-29 and outscoring the Runnin' Rebels 32-20 in the paint.
The game was back-and-forth in the opening half as the teams were tied eight times and traded the lead on four occasions. An offensive put-back by UNLV's Cheikh Mbacke Diong game the home side its largest lead of the night, 19-13, midway through the half, but the Aggies broke a final 32-32 deadlock with back-to-back baskets from Miller and Bean to take a 37-32 lead with 1:25 to play. A final three by UNLV cut the difference to three at intermission, 37-34, in favor of the Aggies.
Utah State opened the second half with a 9-0 run as Worster, Anthony, Miller and Bean each scored to give the Aggies a 12-point lead before the first media timeout of the final stanza. USU's margin dipped below double digits occasionally over the final 20 minutes, but never lower than seven as the Aggies came away with the 83-74 victory.
UNLV's David Jenkins led all scorers with a game-high 33 points. He was followed by Moses Wood with 11. As a team, UNLV shot 43.3 percent (26-of-60) from the floor, 35.7 percent (10-of-28) from behind the arc and 75.0 percent (12-of-16) at the free throw line.
Utah State now has almost a week off before continuing Mountain West play at Fresno State on Thursday, Feb. 4, and Saturday, Feb. 6. The game on Thursday night can be seen on Stadium (www.watchstadium.com) and simulcast locally on KJZZ at 7 p.m. (MT). The game on Saturday night will be televised on Fox Sports 1 (Xfinity Ch. 265/HD691, DirecTV Ch. 219, DISH Ch. 150) and tip at 8 p.m. (MT).
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