Sam Merrill Scores 17 Points To Give USU First Half Lead Over Nevada
Mar 2, 2019, 7:49 PM | Updated: 9:51 pm
(Rick Parker, USU Athletics)
(Rick Parker, USU Athletics)
LOGAN, Utah – In the biggest game of the season for the Utah State Aggies, Sam Merrill scored 17 points in the opening half to give Utah State a 37-33 lead over No. 12 Nevada at the sold out Spectrum.
Merrill hit five of his seven shot attempts and 3-for-4 from downtown and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. He played all 20 minutes for the Aggies, the only player to do so for Utah State.
He sparked an 8-0 run with back-to-back triples after Neemias Queta threw down a dunk.
As a team, Utah State shot 48 percent from the field and 30 percent from beyond the arc.
TO Nevada | @smerrill05 is on 🔥🔥 as he drilled a pair of threes for 13 points, and has outscored Nevada as they have 12 points. #AggiesAllTheWay
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) March 3, 2019
Queta had 8 points and 8 rebounds in the first half.
.@nemi1599 WITH NO REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE!#AggiesAllTheWay#SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/5V8ylGQZSq
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) March 3, 2019
Nevada has two players in double figures after the first half, led by Tre’Shawn Thurman with 14 points, Caleb Martin chipped in 10 points.
The Aggies are fighting for the regular season title in the Mountain West Conference as Nevada is just a half-game ahead in the standings.
AT THE HALF
Aggies take a 4 point lead into the locker room!#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/N44hb0wLa8
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) March 3, 2019
