LOGAN, Utah (Interstat) — In a hard-fought intrastate battle, the Utah State Aggies used a dominant performance in the paint and capitalized on Weber State mistakes to secure an 83-73 victory on Wednesday night before a crowd of 9,124 at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

The game was a tale of two halves that were eerily similar on the scoreboard, yet vastly different in execution. Both teams were locked in a 41-41 tie at halftime, but the Aggies emerged from the break with a renewed defensive intensity that ultimately proved decisive.

Utah State improved to 3-0 on the young season, while Weber State fell to 1-2.

The Aggies won this game not from the perimeter, where they struggled mightily, but by relentlessly attacking the basket. Utah State shot a dismal 3 for 23 from three-point range but more than compensated by outscoring the Wildcats 46-28 in the paint. Their offensive efficiency was also a key factor, as they scored 83 points on just 74 possessions for an offensive rating of 112.5, compared to Weber State’s 101.0 rating.

Weber State’s offense was hampered by ball security issues, committing 12 turnovers. Utah State’s defense was opportunistic, registering 10 steals and converting those Wildcat mistakes into 18 points. The Aggies also shared the ball effectively, dishing out 10 assists to Weber State’s 4.

Karson Templin led a balanced Utah State scoring attack with 16 points and five rebounds, consistently finding seams in the Weber State defense for easy baskets inside. Kolby King was a catalyst on both ends, adding 15 points, eight rebounds and two assists, while Garry Clark provided a strong interior presence with 13 points and five rebounds.

For Weber State, Trevor Hennig shouldered the scoring load with a game-high 19 points to go with six rebounds. Nigel Burris recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, showcasing his activity on the glass. Jace Whiting and David Hansen each chipped in 10 points.

The game remained tight for the first 25 minutes, with Weber State even holding a narrow lead early in the second half. However, a 9-2 Utah State run midway through the final period, fueled by defensive stops and transition opportunities, gave the Aggies a cushion they would not relinquish. The Wildcats could never mount a sustained comeback, as their shooting went cold down the stretch, finishing the night at 38.6 percent from the field.

Utah State will look to maintain its perfect record when it hosts UTEP on Saturday. Weber State continues its road swing with a game at UC Irvine, also on Saturday.