As the game ended and the players hugged and the fans cheered the long-awaited win, I noticed coach Prioleau’s stoicness. It was the same look when they would lose. I kept watching to see if some burst of emotion would sneak out, before I realized he probably always has a look that means business.
The Spartans (4-24, 1-16 Mountain West Conference) not only broke their 16-game conference losing streak, but also a 10-year, 22-game losing streak against the Utah Aggies (14-16, 7-10) with a tough 64-62 win at home.
The Spartans kept up their defensive intensity the entire game and in the end, defense was the difference in stopping the Aggies and earning their first conference win.