Merrill scores 20, leads Utah State past Northern Iowa 71-52
LOGAN, Utah -- Sam Merrill scored 20 points as host Utah State beat Northern Iowa 71-52 on Wednesday night in the Mountain West/Missouri Valley Conference Challenge.
The Aggies (6-1) snapped a two-game losing skid and are now 2-2 in their annual contest.
Merrill, a junior guard who led all scorers with 50 points in two games during the MGM Main Event in Las Vegas, made 7 of 14 field goals and all four of his free-throw attempts.
Luke McDonnell scored 14 points to lead Northern Iowa (3-4).
Utah State built a 31-23 halftime lead. The Panthers stayed within double digits until a 5-0 spurt made it 48-35 with nine minutes left and they didn't get closer. Diogo Brito's two free throws stretched the Aggies' lead to 60-42 with 5:22 remaining.
It was the first meeting between the schools.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Paul Janssen
- Bert Smith
- Rick O'Neill
2023-24 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana State | 17-3 | - | 32-7 |
| Drake | 16-4 | 1 | 28-7 |
| Bradley | 13-7 | 4 | 23-12 |
| Belmont | 12-8 | 5 | 20-13 |
| Northern Iowa | 12-8 | 5 | 19-14 |
| Southern Illinois | 11-9 | 6 | 19-13 |
| Illinois State | 9-11 | 8 | 15-17 |
| Murray State | 9-11 | 8 | 12-20 |
| Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 17-16 |
| Evansville | 6-14 | 11 | 17-18 |
| UIC | 4-16 | 13 | 12-21 |
| Valparaiso | 3-17 | 14 | 7-25 |
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 |
Men's College Basketball News
