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Utah State Clinches the Mountain West Autobid To The NCAA Tournament.
Second half run propels Aggies past Aztecs.
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The Aztecs season ends in finals of the Mountain West Tournament
Utah State has assured itself a berth in the NCAA Tournament after beating San Diego State State by a score of 64-57. The game was a physical battle as both teams tightened up the defensive effort and fought for every inch.
In the first half both teams shot well, however every point was earned and the stats belie how difficult each one was to get. Utah State was led by the trio of Neemias Queta, Sam Merrill, and Able Porter, who scored 11, nine, and 10 respectively.
Devin Watson kept the Aztecs in the game with a team high 12 points in the first half. Superstar forward Jalen McDaniels played sparingly with foul trouble, At half the Aztecs were down 34-32.
The second half saw the Aggies get out early and push the lead. They began the half on a 13-0 run while the Aztecs offense stalled completely.
San Diego State tried to cut the lead, however they never really had an opportunity to bring down the deficit to within single digits until they got it down to eight on their first second half three with under four minutes to go. Things got even more difficult when McDaniels fouled out with more than five minutes left in the game.
The Aggies were led by the Mountain West Player of the Year as Merrill finished with 24 points. Queta had 18 points and Porter finished with 10 to round out the double digit scorers. Now they will wait to find out where they head on Selection Sunday.
Watson was the only double-digit scorer for the Aztecs, finishing with 18 points. San Diego State ends their season with a 21-14 record.