LOGAN, Utah — Even on Valentine's Day, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team once again found no love in a close game.

After a long trip Monday night, the Rainbow Warriors lost their touch from long-range in a 58-50 loss to Utah State last night.

An energetic crowd of 7,810 at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum heckled all game as the 'Bows scored their season-low in points, and shot just 35.7 percent from the field, including a season-worst 11.1 percent from 3-point range (2 for 18).

"We did a lot of things right, but this is still a tough place to play," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said. "When that fatigue hits your shooters, it's going to affect you."

Hawai'i dropped to 14-12 overall and into seventh place in the Western Athletic Conference at 5-8. Utah State is 19-7 and in third place at 8-4. It was also the Aggies' 14th consecutive home victory, including a 12-0 record this season.

In the latest episode of a season of frustrations, the 'Bows played well defensively, but could not capitalize on offense.

"It's just frustrating," Hawai'i senior co-captain Matt Lojeski said. "Close games ... we're just not good in close games."

The Aggies shot just 43.8 percent from the field, and committed a season-high 25 turnovers.

"We turned it over way too much, but we found a way to win," Utah State head coach Stew Morrill said. "It looked like a Big Ten (Conference) win — physical and lots of fouls, and lots of fouls not called. It was just a grind-it-out type of game, but happy to have it. I would rather win ugly any day."

What's more, Utah State guard Jaycee Carroll scored a season-low 11 points — 10 below his WAC-leading average of 21.3 per game.

However, Hawai'i committed 18 turnovers, and lost the rebounding battle, 42-27.

"We played well, we played hard," Wallace said. "We just didn't shoot the ball or rebound."

Lojeski led Hawai'i with 16 points and four assists, although he did commit five turnovers. He was also primarily responsible for defending Carroll.

Ahmet Gueye added 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, and eight rebounds. The 'Bows wanted to get the ball to Gueye more often in the low-post, but the Aggies started double-teaming him in the second half.

"When that happens, (Gueye) has to pass the ball back out, pick somebody out and let them shoot," Wallace said. "And we weren't hitting."

Starting point guard Matt Gibson, who scored 20 points in Hawai'i's 69-61 victory over Utah State Jan. 29 in Honolulu, scored four points on 1-of-8 shooting, including 0 for 5 from 3-point range.

"He's kind of flighty with his game," Wallace said. "And that's two in a row he hasn't shot it well and we lost both."

Starting forward Bobby Nash went 0 for 4 from 3-point range, and was held scoreless for the first time all season.

Reserve Riley Luettgerodt scored 11 points.

Utah State center Stephen DuCharme led the Aggies with 15 points and nine rebounds.

The Aggies committed 15 turnovers in the first half, but still took a 27-22 lead into the locker room.

The Aggies kept the lead the entire second half, although UH got as close as three several times.

A three-point play by Gueye cut the Utah State lead to 46-43 with 6:12 remaining, but the Aggies responded with an 8-0 run to take an insurmountable 54-43 lead with 3:59 left.

Hawai'i got within four in the final minute, but Kris Clark sealed the victory by stealing a Nash pass and soaring in for a dunk.

It was the second game in three days for the 'Bows, but Lojeski said the quick turnaround did not affect the 'Bows.

"I don't think so," he said. "It was tough, but we were right there the whole game."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.