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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 7:06 p.m., Thursday, January 3, 2008

Utah State edges Hawaii, 86-80, in WAC opener

Associated Press

LOGAN, Utah — Tai Wesley scored a career-high 27 points and Jaycee Carroll added 26 as Utah State topped Hawaii, 86-80, tonight.

Fifteen of Wesley's points came in the second half for Utah State (11-5, 1-0 Western Athletic Conference).

Hawaii (4-9, 0-1 WAC) was led in scoring by Matt Gibson with 25, Bobby Nash 19, Riley Luettgerodt 16 and Jared Dillinger with 12.

The Aggies never trailed in the second half and led by as many as 11, 74-63, with 4:16 to play. But 3-point shots by Nash and Gibson kept Hawaii within striking distance during the final minutes.

The two teams shot 51 free throws in the second half, with Utah State hitting 26-of-35 in the half, missing five in the final two minutes.

Wesley had 13 points from the free-throw line and scored the first eight points for Utah State in the first half. Carroll was 3-of-3 from the 3-point line in the opening half and 4-of-4 in the game.

The Aggies led by as many as six points in the first half, though Hawaii led 26-22 with 7:30 remaining in the half. There were 12 lead changes and three ties in a tight first half, which ended in a 36-33 Aggie lead.