Merrill, Utah St. hold off Wyoming in MWC tourney semifinals
LAS VEGAS -- Sam Merrill had 27 points and seven assists, Neemias Queta scored 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, and No. 2 seed Utah State never trailed in its 89-82 win over Wyoming on Friday night in the Mountain West Conference tournament semifinals.
Utah State plays top-seeded and fifth-ranked San Diego State -- which swept the regular-season series between the teams -- on Saturday for an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
Utah State led by as many as nine point in the first half and Brock Miller hit a 3-pointer to open the second and give the Aggies a 41-31 lead. No. 11 seed Wyoming answered with an 11-4 run to trim its deficit to three with 14 minutes remaining and Kwane Marble III scored five straight points to make it 66-all about nine minutes later. Merrill scored seven consecutive points during a 13-0 run capped by two free throws by Queta with 1:28 to go and Utah State held on from there.
Kenny Foster had 18 points and Hunter Maldonado added 14 points, nine rebounds and five assists for Wyoming.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Verne Harris
- Larry Spaulding
- Mike Reed
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 |