LOGAN, Utah — Graduate guard Ian Martinez scored a game-high 23 points and Utah State hit the century mark for the second time in as many games this season in a dominating 103-74 win against Charlotte inside the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Saturday afternoon.
For Utah State, it is just the second time in program history it has scored 100-plus points in consecutive games to start the season along with the 2018-19 team. USU began this season with a 101-46 home win against Alcorn State on Wednesday.
Martinez was one of four Aggies to score in double-figures as Utah State shot a season-high 57.6 percent (38-of-66) and dominated almost every facet of the game. USU outrebounded the 49ers by 11 (36-25) and had a 22-8 advantage in second-chance points. The Aggie reserves scored 47 points in the game as compared to just 10 for Charlotte and USU had a 60-32 advantage in points in the paint, not to mention a 22-0 advantage in fast break points. The Aggies also finished the game with 24 assists to just seven turnovers, while adding 11 steals.
Graduate guard Dexter Akanno added 15 points, all of which were scored in the first half, sophomore forward Karson Templin scored a career-high 12 points to go along with a career-best seven rebounds, and senior guard Drake Allen finished with 11 points.
Robert Braswell led Charlotte with 20 points.
Both teams played even basketball over the first six-plus minutes as the score was tied at 15-all before Utah State went on an 8-1 run to open a 23-16 lead. USU then went on a 21-8 run over the next 6:39 to take its largest lead of the half at 48-31 following an Akanno jumper. The 49ers finished the half on a mini 8-4 run to make the score 52-39 at intermission.
The game was never in doubt in the second half as Charlotte got no closer than 15 points. A layup by Templin gave Utah State its first 20-point advantage at 72-51 with 13:39 remaining and the lead swelled to 31 points at 103-72 following a layup from freshman forward Isaac Davis in the final minute. The 49ers hit a pair of free throws in the final seconds to arrive at the final margin of 29 points.
UP NEXT
Utah State remains home and hosts Westminster on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m., in the third game of a four-game homestand.
