Deeper Utah State fends off D-II Adams State 83-68

LOGAN, Utah (AP) Chris Smith scored 21 points and Jalen Moore added 17 as Utah State defeated Division II Adams State 83-68 on Tuesday night.

Adams State (0-2) put up a fight early, but the Aggies (2-0) enjoyed a 41-28 advantage on the boards, outscored the Grizzlies 14-5 on second-chance points and 44-32 in the paint. Their deeper bench added 27 points to Adams State's 18.

Utah State led by 26 after a Quinn Taylor 3-pointer with 11:53 to go, but then went scoreless for the next five minutes. Still, Adams State only closed to 72-56 and Utah State kept it out of reach for the final 6:50.

Kendyl Grover led the Grizzlies with 17 points and Shakir Smith added 13 - including a quick 5 points to put Adams State into an early lead.