LOGAN, Utah – Graduate guard Dexter Akanno had a career high 26 points and Utah State used a 14-0 run late in the second half to record a hard-fought 79-71 home win against San Diego State in front of a sold-out Dee Glen Smith Spectrum Saturday night.
 
With the win, the Aggies (24-4, 14-3 MW) swept the season series against the Aztecs and moved within a half game of idle New Mexico for a tie at the top of the Mountain West standings. USU's 24 wins are tied for the 11th most in program history.
 
San Diego State (18-7, 11-5 MW) used a 7-0 run to take its biggest lead of the game at 69-65 with 3:42 to play only to see the Aggies answer with 14 straight points to take a late 79-69 lead. SDSU closed the game with a pair of free throws to make the final margin eight points.
 
Akanno was 9-of-12 from the field, including a career high 7-of-9 from 3-point range, and was 1-of-1 at the free throw line for his third career 20-point outing. Fifth-year guard Ian Martinez added 18 points for the Aggies, including 10 in the final 3:27 as he made a 3-pointer and all seven of his free throws. Graduate guard Deyton Albury added a season high 18 points, which included converting 12 of his 13 free throws, as he drew a game high 10 fouls.
 
Utah State finished the game shooting 41.2 percent (21-of-51), including 40.7 percent (11-of-27) from 3-point range, and converted 81.3 percent (26-of-32) of its free throws. San Diego State shot 44.2 percent (23-of-52), including 33.3 percent (10-of-30) from behind the arc and 68.2 percent (15-of-22) at the free throw line. The Aztecs made 7-of-16 (.438) 3-pointers in the second half to stay in the game.
 
Utah State scored the first four points and quickly extended its advantage to nine at 13-4 at the 12:11 mark. San Diego State got back to within 14-11 and trailed 18-14 with 7:44 to play before USU went on an 11-1 run to take its largest lead of the game at 29-15. The Aztecs then closed the half on an 11-4 run over the final 4:02 as USU took a 33-26 lead into intermission.
 
San Diego stormed back by scoring the first eight points of the second half to take its first lead of the game at 34-33. Utah State responded with a 7-0 run and led 40-34 with 16:38 remaining. The Aggies pushed its advantage back to eight points following a 3-pointer from sophomore wing Tucker Anderson to give the home team a 57-49 advantage at the 8:12 mark. USU later led 60-52 with 7:34 to play following a basket and free throw from Akanno. SDSU then went on a 17-5 run over the next 3:52 to take a 69-65 advantage. USU then quickly reclaimed the lead and went on to post the win following its late 14-0 run.
 
NEXT UP
Utah State hits the road next week for its final two Mountain West games of the season as it plays at Boise State on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 8:30 p.m., and at Colorado State on Saturday, March 1, at 2 p.m. Both games will be broadcast nationally on Fox Sports 1.
 
TICKETS
There are a limited number of tickets available for all remaining home games. To purchase visit utahstateaggies.com/tickets.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
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.