Utah State rolls past UNLV with big first half

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LOGAN, Utah (AP) — Sam Merrill had 20 points and five assists, Utah State built a 20-point halftime lead, and the Aggies defeated UNLV 82-65 on Saturday.

The Aggies outscored the Runnin' Rebels 27-10 over the final 10 minutes of the first half to lead 48-28. Utah State shot 55 percent in the period and UNLV hit only 31 percent. The lead reached 29 with about eight minutes remaining in regulation and the Aggies led 82-56 at 2:51 before going scoreless the rest of the way.

Diogo Brito had 15 points and five rebounds, and Neemias Queta added 10 points and 16 rebounds for Utah State (17-5, 7-2 Mountain West). Utah State has won six in a row and is 10-1 at home.

Joel Ntambwe had 18 points for UNLV (11-10, 5-4). Kris Clyburn and Amauri Hardy scored 14 apiece, Clyburn adding nine rebounds.

For the game, Utah State shot 49 percent and made 10 of 23 3-pointers (44 percent) . UNLV shot 37 percent, 9 of 24 (38 percent) from 3-point distance.