NORMAL, Ill. – David Collette scored 17 points and Darius Perkins added 14 as Utah State rallied in the second half for a 60-55 victory over Illinois State on Sunday.
The Aggies, who trailed by seven at halftime, took their first lead, 41-40, on a 3-pointer by JoJo McGlaston. That basket was part of a 10-0 run that gave the Aggies an eight-point advantage. The Redbirds responded with a 13-2 run to lead 53-50 with 3:25 left.
Three-pointers by McGlaston and Chris Smith gave USU a 56-53 lead. DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell scored a basket for ISU's final points before the Aggies made four free throws in the final minute.
The Aggies (2-0) returned no starters from last year's team. The game was the opener for ISU, which has four of five starters back.
Daishon Knight led the Redbirds with 17 points. Akoon-Purcell, junior college transfer, had 15 points and 10 rebounds.