Utah State snares share of Big West title

? Nate Harris had 13 points and seven rebounds, and No. 23 Utah State clinched a share of the Big West title with a 64-60 victory over Idaho on Saturday night.

Utah State (25-2, 17-1) will win the conference regular-season title if Pacific loses today at home against UC Riverside.

A Pacific victory would create co-champions, with a coin flip deciding the top seed for the conference tournament. Pacific and Utah State split during the season, each winning at home.

Cardell Butler and Spencer Nelson each added 12 points to help Utah State reach 25 victories for the fourth time in seven years.

Dwayne Williams scored 16 points for the Vandals (13-15, 8-8). Armend Kahrimanovic added 11 points, and Dandrick Jones and Tyrone Hayes had 10 apiece.

Utah State’s led 60-45 with 3:36 to play, but Idaho scored the next 13 points to close the gap to two at 60-58.

Harris scored eight points in a 22-7 run at the start of the second half. The Aggies, third in the nation in field-goal percentage, made 10 of their first 12 shots after the break.

Utah State’s Chris Huber and Nelson each hit a pair of free throws during the final 32 seconds to seal the victory. Utah State shot 70 percent from the field in the second half.