Smith has 20 to lead Utah State past UNLV 83-65

Updated: Feb 24, 2015, 11:50 pm

LOGAN, Utah -- Chris Smith scored 20 points, 14 coming in the second half, to lead to Utah State past UNLV 83-65 Tuesday night.

Darius Perkins and David Collette had 17 apiece for the Aggies (17-10, 10-5 Mountain West Conference) and Jalen Moore added 16.

Dwayne Morgan and Patrick McCaw had 13 each for the Rebels (15-13, 6-9 MWC) and Christian Wood chipped in 11 and a game-high nine rebounds.

Trailing 38-35 at halftime, USU went on an 11-2 run to start the second half behind five consecutive points from Smith and a pair of layups by Collette. The Aggies took a 55-44 lead with 11:57 to play before UNLV had an 8-0 run of their own to close the gap to 55-53.

USU answered with two quick baskets by Collette and was able to hold off the Rebels down the stretch, aided by 6-of-8 shooting from 3-point range.