Courtesy of Utah State Athletics
DUBROVNIK, Croatia – Utah State men’s basketball played its final of three games against international competition Sunday morning in Dubrovnik, Croatia, defeating KK Podgorica of Montenegro’s first league Prva A Liga 75-41. With the win, the Aggies conclude their European tour undefeated, winning all three games by 25-plus points.
“This was by far our toughest test. This is a very good basketball team, they’ve got some veteran guys who have played in the United States, guys that have been at the pro level for 5-7 years,” said first-year head coach Jerrod Calhoun. “I think our guys have bought into our defense. All-in-all, I thought our execution was tremendous.”
For the second-straight game, it was graduate guard Ian Martinez leading Utah State’s scoring efforts as he finished the contest with 15 points. Senior guard Deyton Albury and senior center Aubin Gateretse each chipped in 10 points, while sophomore wing Tucker Anderson and graduate guard Dexter Akanno went for nine points apiece, followed by a seven-point effort from freshman guard Jordy Barnes.
The Aggies were tasked with playing from behind early for the second straight game, after being out-scored 15-16 in the first quarter. USU allowed just 25 points to its competition through the final three quarters, using a 27-8 second quarter and a 33-17 second half to earn a dominant win.
Utah State moved the ball well, totaling 20 assists as a team with Barnes and senior guard Drake Allen each leading the way with four.
Utah State will return home from Croatia on Monday, Aug. 19. The team’s 2024-25 schedule officially begins on Wednesday, Nov. 6, when the Aggies host Alcorn State at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
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