Utah State basketball: Aggies clinch 4th straight WAC regular-season title

LOGAN — Another year and another Western Athletic Conference regular-season title for the Utah State Aggies.

In front of a sold-out Dee Glenn Smith Spectrum, the Aggies (26-3, 13-1 WAC) celebrated their fourth straight Western Athletic Conference championship with an 84-68 victory over the visiting Idaho Vandals (16-12, 8-7) on Saturday night.

The Aggies also honored their six departing seniors in their last home game of their collegiate careers before the game, and the seniors showed why they have won four consecutive WAC titles. Combined, the seniors scored 61 points, led by Tai Wesley's 22-point effort.

"This is what you work for as a college basketball player," Wesley said about his fourth straight WAC title. "To be able to do something like that is special. Just to be a part of it is something special for me."

"It was hard to keep your emotions in check," Wesley continued. "Especially when you saw guys you have been here with for five years walk out there and pick up their jersey. It was tough for me at least. Once the game started, everything cooled off and we were good."

Fellow four-year starter and senior Tyler Newbold agreed.

"It feels wonderful," Newbold said. "This is something that you want to experience every year, competing for a championship, and I have been lucky enough the four years that I have played we have won (WAC championships).

"It's been great for me here. I have had guys that I have wanted to be on the court with and I have played for teams that always wanted to win. It is something I will never forget."

USU head coach Stew Morrill was at a loss for words when asked about what this senior class has meant to him.

"I don't know how to put it into words and I don't want to cry," Morrill said about his seniors. "It is a special group of guys, and what they have done is a tremendous accomplishment. They are everyday guys; they show up every day. They are high-character guys, getting degrees and winning championships. I firmly believe that if you have character in your program, it goes a long, long way."

On the court, the Aggies got a chance at revenge against the Vandals, who had beaten them just 17 days ago.

"I thought we were aggressive and active," Morrill said. "Our guys were determined to get back at Idaho and get a win. If you look at the stats, we played well in a lot of good areas. We handled the ball pretty well, and we defended pretty well. It was a good win."