FRESNO, Calif. – Graduate forward Dan Akin poured in a season-high 23 points, junior guard Steven Ashworth posted a 14-6-6 stat line and Utah State waltzed to a 70-53 victory over Fresno State on Saturday night at the Save Mart Center.
After a back-and-forth affair over the game's first 10 minutes, Akin scored six-straight points for the Aggies, converting a dunk, layup and two free throws to capture a lead Utah State would never relinquish. The Bulldogs trimmed USU's advantage to a single point late in the first half before Ashworth buried a trey and two FTs to send Utah State into halftime with a 34-28 advantage.
The Aggies kept their foot on the gas, building on their close to the half for a 14-3 run spanning into the second frame. USU held Fresno State to only 12 points across over 10 minutes of the second half, all but quashing the notion of a Bulldog comeback. In the closing minutes, Akin also buried a 3-pointer, the first of his career, which pushed USU's lead over 20 points. Utah State shot 10-for-11 from the FT line in the second half, part of an 18-for-20 showing for the game, to further seal the road victory.
Akin added eight rebounds and a season-high three blocks in the outing. Senior Sean Bairstow finished with nine points and eight rebounds, and was a game-high +18 while on the court. Graduate forward Taylor Funk chipped in with nine points.
The Aggies shot 46.0 percent (23-for-50) from the field and 33.3 percent (6-for-18) on 3-point attempts, meanwhile holding the Bulldogs to 34.5 percent (19-for-55) and 30.4 percent (7-for-23) from the field and 3-point territory, respectively. USU also dominated the boards, outrebounding Fresno State, 41-24, and outscoring them, 16-6, on second-chance opportunities.
In completing the season sweep of the Bulldogs, Utah State has now won eight of the past nine matchups against Fresno State and lead the all-time series between the two schools, 43-26.
Up Next
Utah State (17-5, 6-3 MW) returns to the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 8:30 p.m. (MT) to host New Mexico (19-3, 6-3 MW).The Aggies and Lobos are currently tied with each other for fourth place in the MW standings.
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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