Taylor Funk’s Double-Double Leads Utah State To Win Over Wolverines

LOGAN, Utah – Utah State struggled at times, but at no point did they look in danger of losing their 2022-23 home opening win against Utah Valley 75-58.

Utah State hosted the Utah Valley Wolverines at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum in Logan, UT on Monday, November 7.

Sean Bairstow led the Aggies with 19 points while transfer Taylor Funk, in his first game in front of the Aggie faithful, did not disappoint as he finished with 18 points and a team high 14 rebounds. Rylon Jones led USU with eight assists.

🍦🍦🍦@taylor_swishh pic.twitter.com/B15eCKPn6I

— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) November 8, 2022

Aziz Bandaogo’s 7-9 from the field was enough for 17 points in the loss. Cam Alford was the only other Wolverine to score in double-figures, finishing with 13 points.

First Half

Trey Woodbury knocked down the first basket of the season for either team when he nailed a mid-range shot to give Utah Valley an early 2-0 lead.

First year Aggie Taylor Funk answered on the other end for the Aggies to open the scoring for Utah State.

.@taylor_swishh first points of the season are up, LET'S GO AGGIES🔵🤘#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/jZmxRZXimQ

— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) November 8, 2022

Both programs traded buckets for the next few minutes with neither team taking a more than one possession advantage until Funk’s driving layup at the 12:46 mark gave USU a 13-9 lead.

Later in the period with Utah State trailing 14-13 after a UVU fast break layup from Cam Alford.

USU didn’t take long to recapture the lead when one of three returning starters, Sean Bairstow knocked down a long-range jumper, giving the Aggies a 16-14 lead.

S3AN BAIRSTOWWWW👌👌👌#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/4MAowtvESm

— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) November 8, 2022

They would not trail again in the half.

After spending much of the first half leading by one or two possessions, the Aggies went on an 8-0 run to close the half, ballooning their advantage to double digits for the first time. USU went into the half leading 41-28.

Sean Bairstow led the Aggies with 15 first half points, knocking down a pair of three’s in the process.

2️⃣ FROM DOWN UNDER‼️#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/shzBWyYCaP

— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) November 8, 2022

Aziz Bandaogo paced the Wolverines with 11 first half points in his first game in a Utah Valley uniform.

HALF | Halftime from The Spectrum!

The Aggies hold a 41-28 lead over UVU🔵#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/wXqFUtBi4N

— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) November 8, 2022

Second Half

Out of the locker rooms, Rylon Jones hit his first field goal of the season when he kissed a driving layup off the glass, giving USU a 15-point advantage.

UVU responded with a three from Tim Ceaser, cutting the lead to 43-31.

Funk answered for the Aggies, rising up and knocking down a three off of his own offensive rebound after his initial shot had been blocked by Bandaogo.

nothing but net🤫

⚡️ @taylor_swishh #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/iWPYfffHug

— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) November 8, 2022

In spite of the Aggies trying to pull away, UVU and Bandaogo wouldn’t allow themselves to get blown out. Bandaogo showed his determination with a pair of strong dunks, the second of which came on an offensive rebound after Blaze Nield missed a layup.

The slam brought UVU within seven, 48-41.

Later in the period, the Wolverines cut the Aggie lead to four at 55-51, but that was as close as they would get.

The Spectrum was ROCKING … sorry you came knocking!#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/SuUFTYwlRH

— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) November 8, 2022

Up Next

The Aggies remain in Logan where they will welcome in the Bradley Braves for the second of 13 non-conference games this season. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 7 p.m. (MST). All Utah State games can be heard on The Zone Sports Network.

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