|
|||
|
By Earl Scott
The Aggies had five players score in double figures and shot an astounding 78.6 percent from the field in the first half. Cardell Butler knocked down 12 points, Quenton Harvey and John Neil contributed 11 points, and Nate Harris scored 10 points. Spenser Nelson had a game-high16 points, two blocked shots and five rebounds. "Offensively I did OK," Nelson said. "Defensively I still made a couple of mistakes, but as a team, I thought we played well, especially in the first half. Although USU is a Division 1 team and was bigger and faster than the Division II Sky Hawks (0-1), Head Coach Stew Morrill was still pleased with the outcome. "We're supposed to beat a team like this," Morrill said. "But a lot of times you come out and don't show respect for the other team. I was concerned we might go through the motions, and we didn't." The 6,805 fans in attendance saw USU hold the Sky Hawks scoreless the first four-and-a-half minutes of the first half, while allowing them a paltry 31.8 shooting percentage for the game. FLC was forced to take most of its shots from the outside as the team had trouble moving the ball inside against the USU big men, who continually blocked the shooting and passing lanes. "We're not very big," said Fort Lewis College Head Coach Bob Hoffman. "Utah State has a terrific inside game. They do a great job of teaching power basketball. I think we got better from the game." Kevin Williams, who played part of the last two years with Utah State as a walk-on and now plays for Fort Lewis, had a rough return, shooting only 1 of 10 from the field. He admitted he was a little nervous and may have been trying too hard, but enjoyed playing against his former team. "I think I came out a little bit too nervous at first. I tried to force too much of the issue," he said. "It was fun coming back and seeing a bunch of the guys. We have a lot to work on, but give credit to Utah State. They're a tough team and well coached." Despite the lopsided score, Morrill saw some things his charges need to work on. He was mainly disappointed in the letdown USU suffered in the second half, believing his team should have played hard from the beginning to the end of the game. "I felt we had some lapses in the second half," he said. "I'm just that way; I think those things should never happen. I'm still in search of the perfect game." Guard Mark Brown returned to action after missing the last two games nursing a hamstring injury, scoring eight points in 21 minutes of playing time, showing little effect from his still sore hamstring. "I felt good, about 85 percent," Brown said. "The only time I really felt it (the hamstring) was when I came out (of the game). It's just minor pain. Nothing serious." Starting center Mike Ahmad did not play in the first half and contributed only three points to the Aggie victory. Morrill said Ahmad needed to be reminded of his academic responsibilities. Guard Derek Yutzy led the Sky Hawks in scoring with 12 points, while forward Ryan Sonnek contributed 10 points. They were the only Sky Hawks who scored in double figures. USU next travels to Weber State to take on the Wildcats at 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday. |
||