LAS VEGAS — Shane Rector scored a team-high 24 points and Utah State advanced at the Mountain West basketball tournament by defeating Wyoming 88-70 Wednesday at the Thomas and Mack Center.
The Aggies, the No. 9 seed, built a 25-point lead in the first half and weathered a second-half rally by the eighth-seeded Cowboys, which cut the lead to eight points down the stretch.
Jalen Moore helped the Aggies keep Wyoming at bay, with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Chris Smith added 20 points and a team-high four 3-pointers.
Utah State found success early and often from outside, hitting 11 of 25 3-pointers and shot 48.