Merrill Injured, Returns In Aggies’ Jamaica Classic Championship Victory
Nov 24, 2019, 7:02 PM | Updated: 7:04 pm
Utah State Aggies guard Sam Merrill (5) during a game between the Weber State Wildcats and the Utah State Aggies on December 08, 2018, at Vivint Smart Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.(Photo by Boyd Ivey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Boyd Ivey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – Utah State guard Sam Merrill suffered what appeared to be an ankle injury late in the second half against North Texas before returning to the game to help the Aggies win the Jamaica Classic.
The Aggies defeated the Mean Green 68-59 to win the Jersey Mike’s Jamaica Classic in Montego Bay on Sunday, November 24.
Merrill left the floor for about 4:30 of game-time after rolling his ankle while playing defense. With 2:41 left to play and the game tied up at 59 apiece, Merrill returned to the court to help the Aggies pull out a nine-point win.
.@USUBasketball are your 2019 Montego Bay @jamaica_classic Champs and they have the HARDWARE to prove it 🏆 pic.twitter.com/n0BnNRZXhT
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) November 25, 2019
Even before suffering the injury, Merril struggled against North Texas. The Aggie guard entered the game averaging 18.5 points per game. He went 0-6 on field goals against the Mean Green. He was scoreless in the first half of Sunday’s game.
Merrill’s first point came on a made free throw with 14:36 left in the game. He finished with 5 points, 5 boards, 3 assists, and a block.
With Merrill out for a few minutes, Utah State forward Alphonso Anderson stepped up and led the Aggies in scoring with 19 points.
He added 5 rebounds and 2 assists off of the bench.
đź’Şđź’Ş down low @Fonzo_10#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/DNTPG8wJYL
— USU Men's Hoops (@USUBasketball) November 25, 2019
The Aggies shot 40.4 percent from the field and 21.4 percent from three-point range. The Mean Green weren’t any better shooting 38.1 percent on field goals and 21.7 percent from downtown.
No. 15 Utah State returns to Logan with a 7-0 record on the season.
Congrats to No. 15 @USUBasketball on remaining perfect at 7-0! pic.twitter.com/dJFe8zHcna
— Jersey Mike's Jamaica Classic (@jamaica_classic) November 25, 2019
USU heads on the road after Thanksgiving to take on the Saint Mary’s Gaels on November 29 at 9:30 p.m. (MDT). The game will be televised on ESPNU.
