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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 4:57 p.m., Thursday, February 26, 2009

Utah State beats Rainbow Warriors to clinch WAC regular-season title

Advertiser Staff

Utah State clinched the Western Athletic Conference championship at the expense of the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team today.

The Aggies routed the Rainbow Warriors, 82-62, at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum in Logan, Utah.

Utah State clinched its first outright regular-season WAC title with the win. The Aggies improved to 26-3 overall and 13-1 in the conference, including a season sweep of Hawai'i.

The 'Bows dropped to 13-14 overall and 5-9 in the conference. Depending on the outcome of other games today, the ¹Bows will be either tied for sixth or seventh place in the nine-team WAC.

Hiram Thompson had career-highs of 16 points and seven assists for the 'Bows, but it was hardly enough against the Aggies, who have now won 33 consecutive games at the Smith Spectrum.

The game was close only for the fist eight minutes. The 'Bows trailed 17-15 with 11:48 remaining in the first half, but Utah State then went on a 10-0 surge to increase the lead to 27-15.

The Aggies eventually took a 41-28 lead at halftime, and the 'Bows never got closer than 12 in the second half.

Utah State led by as many as 25 in the second half.

Bill Amis added 12 points and eight rebounds, and Roderick Flemings scored 10 for Hawai'i.

Gary Wilkinson led Utah State with 27 points and seven rebounds. Tai Wesley added 16 points and eight rebounds.