Avila Has 29 To Lead CSU Past Utah State 75-70

LOGAN, Utah (AP) - J.J. Avila scored 29 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead Colorado State past Utah State 75-70 Saturday night.

Gian Cavell added 17 for the Rams (26-5, 13-5 Mountain West Conference) and Stanton Kidd had 14. Avila's 29 points tied a season-high for the senior forward.

The Aggies (18-12, 11-7 MWC) were led by Chris Smith with 24 points, while Jalen Moore and JoJo McGlaston had 14 each.

USU led the entire second half until Avila tied the game on free throws with 2:25 to play. CSU took a 69-68 lead with 55 seconds to play on a layup by Avila. Smith was blocked on a layup and Kidd followed with a quick layup to stretch the lead to 71-68 with 37 seconds left.

USU coach Stew Morrill announced mid-season his intention to retire at the end of the season, his 17th at Utah State, 29th as a head coach.

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