QUOTES – Utah State 87, Penn 79

Utah State coach Ryan Odom – “It was a great college basketball game, and we were blessed to share the court with Penn and coach Donahue’s team. It was an out-and-out battle. We were able to get a lead in the second half and they came storming back. It seemed like that was the afternoon and the way the game was going to go. I thought (Justin) Bean was amazing and I thought Rylan (Jones) was fabulous throughout. Clearly the day belongs to Justin and his effort. His willingness to give his body for his team, his willingness to chase rebounds, his ability to be a go-to guy for us at key times was the difference in the game and it allowed us to outlast them at the end. We’re kind of on a fact-finding mention about ourselves and every game that goes by, we find out a little more.”

Utah State senior forward Justin Bean – “It was a great win for us. We knew they were going to be a tough out, they’re a very talented team, well-coached. They can shoot the ball really well and we knew that it couldn’t just given to us, we had to earn it. In the second half we had to make some adjustments. We really got going in the first 10 minutes (of the second half), we got on a little bit of a run. Then we got a little comfortable and started letting them get loose on the 3-point line and not getting our hands up ready and it cost us. We had to fight back and stay together. I’m just happy we come out of here for a win.”

Penn coach Steve Donahue – “That was a great college basketball game. The kids on both sides played their hearts and it was evenly matched with big play after big play. There were a few weird things that happened. Lucas (Monroe) slipping on the floor on a wet spot after he gets a great steal. Can’t fault the effort. I think we could have been a little better executing the offense, but I give Utah State a ton of credit. They have tough kids and Ryan does a great job. This was good for us. We came up big when we had to. I thought we guarded well but the kid Bean is an amazing kid. His story coming from a walk-on and he’s undersized. He just competes like no one else in college basketball. Obviously, Jordan (Dingle) was terrific. And he makes a great pass to Max Martz which we thought was a 3 and possibly a game-winner but his toe was on the line. Jordan’s become such a good all-round player.”