Merrill leads Utah State past NAIA Eastern Oregon, 84-57
LOGAN, Utah -- Sam Merrill scored 28 points and Utah State closed out its nonconference schedule by walloping NAIA-member Eastern Oregon, 84-57 on Friday night.
The Aggies (10-3) open Mountain West Conference play Wednesday at Nevada.
Utah State built a 19-point advantage in the first half, taking a 45-26 lead at the break.
Merrill hit 9 of his 14 field goal attempts and was 4 of 7 from distance. Neemias Queta and Justin Bean added 13 and 12 points, respectively. Collectively, the Aggies were 30 of 67 from the field, including 7 of 24 from behind the arc.
The Mountaineers got 16 points from Jordan May and 10 from Jarek Schetzle.
Utah State is now 2-0 all-time against Eastern Oregon, with the first win coming in the 1941-42 season. The Aggies have never lost to a regular season game to a non-Division I opponent and they are 26-0 against teams from the NAIA.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Rick Randall
- Randy Heimerman
- Paul Szelc
2023-24 Mountain West Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Utah State | 14-4 | - | 28-7 |
Nevada | 13-5 | 1 | 26-8 |
Boise State | 13-5 | 1 | 22-11 |
UNLV | 12-6 | 2 | 21-13 |
San Diego State | 11-7 | 3 | 26-11 |
New Mexico | 10-8 | 4 | 26-10 |
Colorado State | 10-8 | 4 | 25-11 |
Wyoming | 8-10 | 6 | 15-17 |
Fresno State | 4-14 | 10 | 12-21 |
Air Force | 2-16 | 12 | 9-22 |
San José State | 2-16 | 12 | 9-23 |