LOGAN, Utah – Seven players scored eight points or more, led by graduate forward Taylor Funk with 22, as Utah State men's basketball steamrolled to a 96-74 win over Santa Clara (2-1) on Monday night at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
 
The game started as a back-and-forth affair with the teams trading leads six times over the first eight-and-a-half minutes of gametime. A 3-pointer from senior guard Rylan Jones gave the Aggies the advantage for good, however, keying a 17-6 run which pushed USU's lead to double digits. The 3-point barrage continued as USU strung together five consecutive 3-point field goals to fend off the Broncos through to a 50-36 halftime lead.
 
Utah State maintained the initiative in the second frame, extending the lead to 21 following a dunk from senior center Trevin Dorius. A 10-2 Bronco run trimmed USU's lead to 13 points with nine remaining. It proved the closest margin of the second half as a 12-2 Aggie run re-extended the lead above 20 points. Utah State's advantage swelled as large as 27 as the Aggies coasted the rest of the contest.
 
Funk added 11 rebounds, three assists and a career-high five steals on the night, registering his second double-double of the season and the eighth of his career. Funk is the first Aggie with five steals in one game since Justin Bean accomplished the feat in December of 2019. 
 
Junior guard Steven Ashworth added 18 points alongside five rebounds and four assists. Graduate forward Dan Akin finished with 13 points and five rebounds, while Dorius was USU's final scorer in double figures with 11 points. Jones led the Aggies in assists with eight to go along with nine points. Senior guard Sean Bairstow finished with nine points and four boards, while junior guard Max Shulga ended with eight points, six rebounds and four assists.
 
As a team, USU shot 12-of-31 from 3-point range, including an 8-of-20 mark in the first half. Utah State has now made eight or more 3-pointers in each of its first three contests. The Aggies have also outrebounded each of its opponents this season as USU outrebounded the Broncos, 41-36.
 
Up Next
Utah State (3-0) heads to the road for the first time this season to play San Diego (3-0) on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 8 p.m. (MT).
 
For more information on Utah State's men's basketball program, follow the Aggies on Facebook at usumensbasketball, on Twitter at @usubasketball and on Instagram at @usubasketball. Fans can also watch USU men's basketball highlights by visiting youtube.com/utahstateathletics.
 
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