Utah State Turns Back Riverside

Utah State’s experience figured to be a big factor in its game with first-year Division I school UC Riverside Wednesday night, and it was senior Curtis Bobb who helped make the difference for the Aggies.

Bobb had two three-point baskets and a layup during a 12-3 run early in the second half that put Utah State ahead for good in a 76-62 victory at Riverside.

Bobb, a reserve on last season’s NCAA tournament team, finished with 13 points. Tony Brown--one of four returning starters--had 14 points, and Dimitri Jorssen and Shawn Daniels each had 12.

Utah State (7-2) shot 55.8%.

Riverside (3-6) was again led by sophomore Mark Miller, who was the only Highlander in double figures with 24 points. Miller is also the only Riverside player to average double figures for the season.

Eastern Kentucky 73, Cal State Fullerton 67--Ike Harmon scored 27 points but that wasn’t enough to overcome some sloppy ballhanding and poor rebounding by the Titans (1-7) at Richmond, Ky.

Fullerton committed 18 turnovers and was outrebounded 32-18--with only one offensive rebound to 15 for Eastern Kentucky (5-3).

Kevin Richardson gave Fullerton its only second-half lead at 62-61 when he made a three-point shot with 4:22 left. However, John White’s steal and breakaway layup put Eastern Kentucky back on top for good at 63-62. White made six free throws without a miss in the final 20 seconds to seal the victory.

Harmon made nine of 15 shots en route to his second-highest point total of the season. Richardson had 15 points and Babacar Kamara was the Titans’ other double-figure scorer with 11.

Jerry Lavoris led Eastern Kentucky with 19 points, Clinton Sims had 18 and White had 13 with six assists.

Eastern Kentucky, coming off a 6-21 season and last-place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference, is coached by Travis Ford, who played under Rick Pitino at Kentucky.