Aggies Cruise To Win Over Wolverines

LOGAN, Utah – The Utah State Aggies, led by a balanced team effort, defeated in-state rival Utah Valley 65-46.

The game was competitive until the final 10 minutes, when Utah State pulled away and built what was at most a 24-point lead at the 4:38 mark.

The Aggies take down the Wolverines 65-46.#AggiesAllTheWay | #ChallengeMet | #LightTheABlue pic.twitter.com/DtqFuP3ffz

— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) November 17, 2018

Nearly every Aggie who found the hardwood in the game put points on the board. Sam Merrill led the way with 14 points. Quinn Taylor also finished in double figure scoring with 10 points and added 15 rebounds to complete the double-double.

GAME 👏 READY 👏#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/mrwT1RooXh

— USU Men’s Hoops (@USUBasketball) November 17, 2018

Utah Valley was led by TJ Washington, who tied Merrill for the game’s high point total with 14 of his own. Connor Toolson was the other Wolverine in double figure scoring with 11 points.

Neither team had a strong night shooting the ball. Utah State shot 36.2 percent from the field while Utah Valley hit 30.9 percent of their attempts.

The difference may have been in rebounding and sharing the ball. Utah State dominated the Wolverines on the glass with 50 boards to 37 by Utah Valley. The Aggies also almost tripled Utah Valley’s assist numbers, registering 17 assists to just 6 distributions by the Wolverines.

Up next for both teams is a trip to Sin City. Utah State will next face Saint Mary’s on Monday in Las Vegas as part of the MGM Resorts Main Event tournament. Utah Valley will also be playing in the tournament with their first game also on Monday against Hartford.