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
2024-25 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drake | 0-0 | - | 5-0 |
| Bradley | 0-0 | - | 5-1 |
| Belmont | 0-0 | - | 4-1 |
| Missouri State | 0-0 | - | 3-1 |
| Murray State | 0-0 | - | 3-1 |
| UIC | 0-0 | - | 4-2 |
| Illinois State | 0-0 | - | 3-2 |
| Northern Iowa | 0-0 | - | 3-2 |
| Indiana State | 0-0 | - | 2-2 |
| Southern Illinois | 0-0 | - | 2-2 |
| Valparaiso | 0-0 | - | 2-2 |
| Evansville | 0-0 | - | 1-4 |
2024-25 Mountain West Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah State | 0-0 | - | 4-0 |
| Nevada | 0-0 | - | 4-1 |
| New Mexico | 0-0 | - | 4-1 |
| Boise State | 0-0 | - | 3-1 |
| Colorado State | 0-0 | - | 3-1 |
| UNLV | 0-0 | - | 3-1 |
| Wyoming | 0-0 | - | 3-1 |
| San Diego State | 0-0 | - | 2-1 |
| Fresno State | 0-0 | - | 2-2 |
| Air Force | 0-0 | - | 1-4 |
| San José State | 0-0 | - | 1-5 |
Men's College Basketball News
