McEwen, Merrill lift Utah State past San Jose State 81-75 (Feb 22, 2017)
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Koby McEwen scored 23 points shooting 10 for 11 from the foul line and Sam Merrill finished with 22 on 9-for-12 shooting and Utah State held off San Jose State for an 81-75 win on Wednesday night.
McEwen buried a 3 to extend the Utah State's lead to 59-44 before San Jose State went on a 17-8 run to get within 67-61 on Isaac Thornton's 3 with 5:19 to go.
The Spartans narrowed the deficit 75-70 before McEwen made all four of his free throws and Merrill added a pair in the final 39 seconds.
McEwen and Merrill each scored 14 points for the Aggies before halftime. Jalen Moore finished with 15 points and Norbert Janicek 14 for Utah State (12-15, 6-10 Mountain West).
Ryan Welage led San Jose State (14-12, 7-8) with 20 points, Jaycee Hillsman had 13, Brandon Clarke had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Isaiah Nichols had 11 points.
