Dexter Akanno's career night helps Utah State outlast San Diego State 79-71

LOGAN — When Dexter Akanno transferred to Utah State from Oregon State, he know he would have to fight for his role and minutes.

Since arriving to Logan, he started just two games early on in the season and played somewhat inconsistently.

But Akanno's role has grown throughout the season, and has started the last five games going into Saturday's matchup with the San Diego State Aztecs. And it was against one of Utah State's most bitter rivals that Akanno had what was arguably the game of his life.

Akanno scored a career-high 26 points and led the Aggies to a gusty, gritty 79-71 win over the Aztecs. He shot 9-of-12 overall and 7-of-9 from the 3-point line. Akanno received a water bath in celebration of his big night during his postgame television interview.

"It's amazing," Akanno said. "It's a dream come true."

Akanno's previous high in scoring this season came on Nov. 13 against Westminster, where he had 17 points in a win. The way this season has turned out, Akanno said, has been "a blessing."

"I'm really glad that everyone kind of went the way that it did," Akanno said. "If I would've had everything in the beginning of the season, maybe I wouldn't be as hungry."

Utah State (24-4, 14-3 MW) held on just enough down the stretch to secure a sweep of San Diego State in the regular season. Three days before Christmas, the Aggies gave their fans a belated present with a thrilling come-from-behind road victory over the Aztecs.

On Saturday, just eight days after Valentine's Day, they gave a sellout Spectrum crowd the best love letter they could hope for.

Dayton Albury scored 18 points, 12 of which came from the free-throw line, and Ian Martinez added an additional 18.

Utah State trailed 69-65 with 3:42 remaining in the game, and the Aztecs made eight straight shots to get that lead after trailing 60-52 with 7:34 left.

"Really was disappointed in that stretch," Aggies head coach Jerrod Calhoun said. "We've been really on them to finish."

Calhoun said changing the way the players defending on-ball screens worked and allowed them to turn things around and ultimately win the game.

Neither team made a basket in the final 3:42, but the Aggies went on a 14-2 run on free throws alone to close the game.

The Aggies have three games left in the regular season — on the road at Boise State and Colorado State, and at home against Air Force.

"It's going to be a fight for these last three games," Akanno said.

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