Box Score PRICE, Utah – In their final home game of the season, the Utah State Eastern men's basketball team defeated the Colorado Northwest Spartans 77-75 on Thursday.
Both teams fought back and forth for the full 40 minutes of the game. In the first half the score was tied 16 times and the lead changed 21 times.
During the first half the Eagles had nine turnovers allowing the Spartans to stay in the game. They also shot over 50 percent from field as well to go up 39-37 at halftime.
In the first half the Eagles were led by freshman guard
Quinn Peters who had 12 points in the opening period.
Sophomore
Roman McKnight also had a huge first half with 8 points and 7 rebounds with 2 blocks.
With a couple of starters injured, the Eagles fought hard against the Spartans with staying out of foul trouble. Both Peters and sophomore forward Cam Bailey each finished the game with 4 fouls and played 33 plus minutes.
The Eagles shot very well from the three point line in the second half making 5 out of 10 attempts. Sophomore
Koel Cutler and Peters each made two 3 point shots in the second half to keep the Eagles alive.
With the game coming down to the wire, the Eagles tied the game with a minute left thanks to two clutch free throws made by Peters.
CNCC led the game with less than 20 seconds left until Bailey made a tough inside shot while be fouled. He missed the free throw but was able to put the Eagles up 76-75 with 9 seconds left.
Bailey finished the game with another free throw with 3 seconds left following a foul on a defensive rebound.
CNCC was given an opportunity to get another shot off but fell short to seal the Eagles victory.
Peters finished the game leading all scorers with 22 points, he also had 4 rebounds and 6 assists. Bailey had another double-double with 14 points and a team-high 14 rebounds.
On the defensive end, the Eagles got a huge lift from McKnight who had 4 blocks and 9 defensive rebounds. He finished the game with 12 points and 10 rebounds in 27 minutes of action.
The Eagles will hit the road to finish the season next week against Snow College on Thursday and College of Southern Idaho on Saturday.
Fans can follow the Eagles as the chase a championship on Facebook at USU Eastern Athletics and on Twitter at twitter.com/usueathletics.
