SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah State jumped out to a 7-0 lead that kept them in front for the rest of the game and came away with a 76-67 win over Weber State in the Beehive Classic.

Utah State inflated that 7-0 run to 21-7 before Weber State was forced to call a timeout. The Aggies had seven straight defensive stops to start the game that was the difference to help them get the win.

Sam Merrill had 19 points to lead the Aggies while Neemias Queta added 15 points and 2 blocks.

Queta fouled out of the game as Weber State made their final comeback attempt as they cut the lead to six points with five minutes left in the game.

“We still have to remember that Queta is a freshman,” said Utah State head coach Craig Smith. “He has been such a force for us through the first ten games,” he added.

Brock Miller hit a corner three-pointer to bumped the lead back out to nine with three minutes left.

“We knew that Weber State was going to be a dangerous team for us,” Smith said after the game about the comeback.

Utah State improved their series with Weber State to 43-28, they snapped the Wildcats two-game winning streak in the series.

The Aggies will face Alabama State on Saturday in Logan at 7 p.m. on the Mountain West Network.