Utah State basketball: Nate Bendall battles back, saves his best for last

LAS VEGAS — There is saving your best for last, and then there is Nate Bendall.

The Utah State senior forward scored a season-high 16 points and pulled down six rebounds, while giving the Aggies a solid defender in the post. His jumper proved to be the difference the Aggies needed, forcing the Broncos to guard him away from the paint and allowing his front-court mate, Tai Wesley, room to operate in the paint.

It was a special game for Bendall, who missed the start of the season while dealing with injured feet, after missing time last season while dealing with heart problems.

When Bendall finally did get back on the court, he often times struggled with conditioning after being unable to work out for months, and lost some of his explosiveness around the rim.

The incredible turnaround he made during the season was nearly enough to bring his coach to tears in the press conference following Saturday's WAC championship-clinching victory.

"If I talk about Nate Bendall, I'm liable to cry," Morrill said. "His feet are such that he shouldn't even be playing this year. It's an amazing story of toughness. He was not going to not play his senior year. I was told by medical people that he probably shouldn't be playing and he wouldn't get through the year, but by gosh it looks like he's going to make it through the year."

Bendall makes for the perfect complement to Tai Wesley's power inside, with good passing and a deadly spot-up jump shot that makes him difficult to defend.

"He gives us a face-up shooter, and he got some things down around the basket as well today," Morrill said. "He rebounded the ball really well. He's an experienced solid basketball player."