Utah State Reserves Trip to NCAA Tournament Beating San Diego State 64-57 in MW Title Game

Las Vegas • The state of Utah was virtually certain to run for the NCAA Tournament even before being on the field Saturday in the Mountain West tournament championship game, given everything the Aggies had done in the last two months.

The Aggies' level of effort made little sense that they had locked everything up, as they absorbed everything the San Diego State had sent them in their quest for the NCAA field. This made the victory of USU 64-57 at Thomas & Mack Center even more impressive.

Maybe the Aggies do not necessarily have to, but they did it anyway. "Being able to come here and really validate and leave no doubt was really what we were looking for," said USU coach Craig Smith.

USU has certainly won its first NCAA bid since 2011, winning the program's first participation in the MW title game in six years of joining the conference. SDSU eliminated the Nevada co-champion of the regular season in the semi-finals and was planning to return to the NCAA Tournament this year. The Aztecs made things as difficult as possible for USU, only delaying 32-30 at halftime.

But the Aggies scored the first 13 points of the second half to take a 47-32 lead, via two home baskets of first-year center Neemias Queta, the only pointer to Sam Merrill's match and the other three of Brock Miller.

After losing 15 points, SDSU (21-13) earned less than five points in the last three minutes. Diogo Brito responded with a big game for USU, dribbling in the Aztec press and finding Queta for an overlay, and the Aggies kept control.

"They play basketball in an incredible way," said SDSU coach Brian Dutcher, whose team recently made the Aggies lose their last defeat on February 9 in San Diego. The Aggies (28-6) have won 10 straight games and 17 of 18.

"For those of us who have been there in recent years, it has not been easy," said Merrill after scoring 24 points and winning the tournament's most valuable tournament trophy, which included his title of best conference player of the year.

Queta scored 17 points and eight rebounds, stopping two shots and providing a remarkable defensive performance. The defensive player of the year from MW "makes all the difference in the world," said Dutcher.

"You have seen it all year long. he's a monster inside, "Merrill said.

With his ability to turn any topic into a long story when he enjoyed the championship press conference, Smith described a scene from the first Aggies practice in September. When one of his teammates came in to help the defense, Queta assured him, "Do not worry about painting. I had the painting.

This was the case on Saturday when USU perimeter defenders stayed with the Aztec shooters and Queta prevented SDSU from having much success indoors. Senior guard Devin Watson led the Aztecs with 18 points, but SDSU only shot 27% of the field in the second half and 33% for the match against a USU defense that also smothered the Aztecs in a victory at Logan 70-54 at the end of February. .

Merrill battled the Aztecs' aggressive defense in USU's victory over the SDSU, scoring 1 of 9 points on a 3-point distance in each game. His 24 points Saturday came mainly by orders and free throws.

The Aztecs beat USU 68-63 in San Diego at the end of February, surpassing Merrill's 35 points.

The Aggies have won many games in this calendar year before and after this trip. And now they will play somewhere in the NCAA tournament. Asked about the success of this feat and Merrill's ambition as an Aggie fan, he replied, "In fact, my goal is to win an NCAA tournament match."

USU has not done so since 2001. The Aggies have earned the right to try again.