Instant Replay: Merrill Sends Underdog Utah State To NCAA Tournament
Mar 7, 2022, 3:32 PM
Sam Merrill #5 of the Utah State Aggies passes the ball during the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament against the San Diego State Aztecs at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 7, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – It’s been two years to the day since Sam Merrill gave Aggie basketball fans one of the most memorable moments in program history.
With the score evened up at 56, Merrill dribbled out the final possession, slowly working his way to the left wing while being defended by KJ Feagin. With just under five seconds remaining, Merrill rose up from thirty feet and buried the game winner.
Happy @MountainWest Tournament Week!
2️⃣ years ago to the day, @smerrill05 did the thing.#AggiesAllTheWay https://t.co/Z9dJ7QH2IS
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) March 7, 2022
Utah State star guard Sam Merrill drilled a contested three-pointer with 2.6 seconds remaining that eventually gave the Aggies a 59-56 win over No. 5 San Diego State, sending them to the NCAA Tournament. It’s the second consecutive season that the Aggies won the Mountain West Conference Tournament Championship.
Two year anniversary. Feels like yesterday and 10 years ago all at once.
Such a fun game to call. pic.twitter.com/YNJgfROLxm
— Scott Garrard (@ScottyGZone) March 7, 2022
Ultimately, the shot would be forgotten by many as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the NCAA tournament before another game was played. Merrill’s shot provided the final image of the 2020 NCAA men’s basketball season.
