Oct. 25, 2008

LOGAN, Utah - With a week of practice under its belt, Utah State's men's basketball team held its first scrimmage of the 2008-09 season Saturday morning at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum as veteran Aggie head coach Stew Morrill ran his team through four 10-minute scrimmages.

Leading the way for Utah State was senior forward Gary Wilkinson who finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Wilkinson, who was named the Western Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year by the media earlier this month, finished the scrimmage shooting 8 of-14 from the field and 5-of-5 from the free throw line.

Sophomore guard Tyler Newbold also played well for Utah State as he also scored 21 points as he was 8 of-9 from the field, 4-of-4 from three-point range and 1-of-2 from the free throw line.

Sophomore center Modou Niang continued his maturation by scoring 16 points on 8 of-8 shooting, to go along with eight rebounds, two steals and one block. Freshman forward Brady Jardine also impressed during the scrimmage as he finished with 14 points and three rebounds.

Sophomore Tai Wesley, who was named to the WAC's preseason second-team this fall, had perhaps the best all-around scrimmage for Utah State as he scored 13 points on 6-of-6 shooting, and added a team-best nine rebounds and eight assists.

Redshirt freshman guard Jaxon Myaer had a team-best nine assists on the day with just one turnover, and added 11 points on 5-of-11 shooting, while junior guard Jared Quayle also scored 11 points (5-10) and dished out five assists.

Utah State will hold its final dress-rehearsal of the preseason on Wednesday, Oct. 29 with its annual Blue-White scrimmage which will begin at 7 p.m. at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. The scrimmage is free to the public and doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

 
Sophomore guard Tyler Newbold scored 21 points on 8 of-9 shooting during Utah State's scrimmage Saturday morning.