Feb. 2, 2008

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LOGAN, Utah - Jaycee Carroll and Gary Wilkinson combined for 47 points to lead Utah State to a hard fought 77-63 win over Nevada Saturday night in a Western Athletic Conference men's basketball battle at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

It was USU's 13th home win in a row as the Aggies improved to 16-6 overall and 6-1 in WAC play while the Wolf Pack is now 13-8 overall and 5-3 in WAC action, having their three-game win streak snapped.

USU also improved to 13-2 at home against UNR and the Aggies now lead the all-time series, 26-10, having won the last three meetings.

Utah State is the only team in the WAC with an unblemished home record this season and USU improved to 18-3 at home against WAC foes under head coach Stew Morrill.

Senior All-American guard Carroll netted a game-high 24 points as the Evanston, Wyo., native tallied 17 points in the first half. Junior forward and South Jordan, Utah native Wilkinson logged a career-high 23 points, nearly matching Carroll with 16 first half points. Wilkinson registered his team-leading third double-double with 10 rebounds, helping USU out-rebounded UNR, 32-31, as the Aggies improved to 11-2 when having more rebounds then their opponent.

The duo was joined in double-digit scoring by freshman forward Tai Wesley (Provo, Utah), with 14 points including 10 before halftime.

Nevada had four starters post double-figures, led by Marcelus Kemp's 16 while JaVale McGee recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Brandon Fields netted 13 points while Armon Johnson tossed in 10.

The Aggies scorched the nets to the tune of 66.7 percent (18-of-27) in the first half and finished the night at 54.0 percent (27-of-50), including 6-of-14 (42.9 percent) behind the three-point arc. USU was also 17-of-20 (85.0 percent) at the free throw line.

The Wolf Pack hit 23-of-59 (39.0 percent) field goals, going 6-of-18 (33.3 percent) from three-point land and were 11-of-14 (78.6 percent) free throw shooting.

Saturday was the fourth time this season that the Aggies made more free throws than their opponent attempted. Utah State also improved to 14-0 on the season when holding the opposition under 70 points.

An early 11-0 run put USU ahead, 13-2 just three and a half minutes into the game after a dunk from senior guard Kris Clark (Wilmington, N.C.) followed by a Carroll three-pointer and jumper.

Carroll and Wilkinson's first half efforts boosted the Aggies to a 47-36 intermission lead, including an 18-point cushion at 45-27 with 2:20 left in the first stanza. USU improved to 15-2 when leading at the half while UNR fell to 0-6 when trailing at the break.

The Wolf Pack fought their way back to within eight at 49-41 with 16:45 on the second half clock but back-to-back buckets from Carroll and Wilkinson regained control for the Aggies and held Nevada at bay for the rest of the game.

USU travels to Fresno, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 7 to take on Fresno State at 8 p.m. (MT), before returning to the friendly confines of the Spectrum on Saturday, Feb. 9, hosting San Jose State in a 7 p.m. tip-off.

Aggie basketball games are broadcast on KVNU (610 AM) and KLZX (95.9 FM) in Logan, Utah, KFAN (1320 AM) or ESPN Radio (1230 AM) in Salt Lake City and KLZX (105.3 FM) in Montpelier, Idaho, as well as on the internet at www.UtahStateAggies.com through Yahoo! Sports. Al Lewis serves as the play-by-play announcer.

For Utah State basketball ticket information, fans can go to www.UtahStateAggies.com and click on "tickets" or call the USU Ticket Office at 1-800-USTATE-1 or 435-797-0305.