Green's career-high 19 points lead Utah State past Southern Utah

Cedar City • In the aftermath of Utah State's 66-53 win Saturday against Southern Utah, Tai Wesley was quick to deflect credit for the Aggies' second-half run that ultimately swung the game in their favor.

He passed it on to senior Brian Green, and not just because Green led the team with 19 points, a career high.

"[He] got after us and told us that we needed to step it up, that we were playing soft," said Wesley, who scored 12 points. "And I think that's what we did. We responded to his enthusiasm, his energy and his leadership."

The Thurnderbirds stuck with the Aggies for about three-quarters of the game at SUU's Centrum Arena, pulling within 36-32 on a Ramell Taylor layup with 14:56 remaining.

That's when, Green said, he "tried to get them going." His teammates responded.

Wesley scored two quick inside baskets to key a 13-0 run, putting Southern Utah in a hole in which it could never climb out. Green was responsible for seven points in the run.

Whenever the Aggies needed a shot to keep Southern Utah at bay, Green seemed to be the guy to make it. Fourteen of Green's 19 points came in the second half, as did three of his four 3-pointers.

Utah State needed all of them in a somewhat disjointed offensive performance.

"Offensively, we've got a ways to go," coach Stew Morrill said.

Still, the Aggies out-shot Southern Utah 48.9 percent to 36.1 percent.

Southern Utah certainly didn't make it easy on the Aggies.

Behind 22 points from Taylor, the Thunderbirds never quite gave in. They battled back from the 17-point hole to get within nine with more than three minutes left, but any momentum there was stemmed by Green, as he took advantage of Southern Utah's zone defense one last time, burying his final three.

"If you're going to zone us, Brian Green's going to be on the floor," Morrill said.

Green improved his 3-point shooting through three games to 66 percent. He's connected on 10 of 15 attempts.

"I'm playing confident right now," Green said. "Credit my teammates for getting me open and looking for me."

boram@sltrib.comTwitter: @oramb —

Storylines Utah State 66, Southern Utah 53

R Utah State improves to 5-0 all-time against Southern Utah.

• It is the second time the teams played in Cedar City; the first was in 2008.

• Former West Jordan High School star Jordan Weirick finishes with 5 points, and Hillcrest alum Ryan Brimley scores 9.