BOISE — After returning from an LDS Church mission, Utah State point guard Jared Quayle nearly decided to stop playing competitive basketball. The Aggies are certainly happy he didn't come to that conclusion.

Although No. 11-seeded Utah State was unable to complete the upset of sixth-seeded Marquette as they fell, 58-57, it was the play of Quayle that kept the Aggies in the game in the first half, and his overall effort gave the several thousand blue-clad fans at Taco Bell Arena reason to believe.

"For a while, he was the only one that could score," said coach Stew Morrill of his 6-foot-1 point guard. "Jared's kind of a sneaky athlete. He's very vertical. He can go by you better than you think he should. He has just had a phenomenal year out of junior college and obviously he's been a big part of the year we have had, and fortunately tonight he played very well."

Quayle honed his hoops' skills first at Box Elder High in Brigham City, and then at Western Wyoming Community College before joining the Aggies this season. Although he was never a point guard before this year, he ended up staring 28 games this season for the Aggies. He obviously has grown accustomed to the new position, as he was the most effective player on the court for Utah State.

Quayle led the team in points (18), rebounds (8) and assists (4). Perhaps the most impressive of the numbers was his rebounding considering he is the shortest of the Aggie starters.

"I just love going after the ball," said Quayle of his rebounding prowess. "I try to watch where it's going to hit off the rim and then I just try to get myself into position to be there. For me, I'm fortunate the ball usually bounces my way and I just jump up and grab it."

It was Quayle's rebounding that sparked the Aggies run to end the first half. After scoring only nine points in the first 14-plus minutes, it was a couple of boards that got the team back in it.

"Then he (Quayle) got two offensive rebounds in the last six minutes of the first half, that breaks your back when a point guard gets an offensive rebound," said Golden Eagles coach Buzz Williams.

In fact, perhaps the outcome would have been different had Quayle been on the court in the end. But with 1:45 remaining, he picked up his fifth foul and had to spend crunch time on the pine.

"It was difficult," said Quayle of fouling out. "It was the first time I fouled out all year. ... Sitting on the bench and watching the game it was hard because I wanted to be out there and I wanted to be bringing the ball up the court and that opportunity to win the game or dishing it to somebody and having them hit the shot. It was difficult."

With a year of eligibility left, Quayle and the Aggies hope next season brings a different outcome.

"I can't do anything about it now," Quayle said. "You know, I just got to hope for another chance."

Email: mblack@desnews.com