BOISE, Idaho – Utah State men’s basketball (14-6, 3-4 Mountain West) lost, 88-83, in overtime to Boise State (12-8, 4-4 MW) on Saturday night inside the ExtraMile Arena in Boise, Idaho.
The Aggies never trailed in regulation, holding an 18-point lead, 66-48, with 4:10 on the clock in the second half. However, a Bronco 14-0 run trimmed the lead to four, 66-62, with 1:25 left to play in regulation. USU held a five-point lead, 75-70, with seven seconds to play, but a Boise State 3-pointer and layup tied it up at 75-75 to send the game to overtime.
Boise State held onto the momentum for a seven-point lead, 88-81, with 24 seconds to play in overtime. A layup from junior guard Abel Porter brought the final score to 88-83. Porter’s layup marked the first made USU field goal in 10:17.
USU was led by senior guard Sam Merrill with 30 points, sophomore center Neemias Queta with 12 points and Porter with 10. Sophomore forward Justin Bean recorded his 11th double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Boise State was led by redshirt junior guard Derrick Alston Jr. and freshman guard Rayj Dennis with 19 points each.
Utah State shot 41.3 percent (26-of-63) from the field, 21.4 percent (6-of-28) from behind the arc and 75.8 percent (25-of-33) at the free throw line. Boise State shot 46.4 percent (26-of-56) from the floor, 37.5 percent (9-of-24) from behind the 3-point line and 79.4 percent (27-of-34) at the free throw line.
The Aggies will next have a two-game homestand as USU hosts Air Force (9-10, 3-4 MW) on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 9 p.m. Utah State will then take on Colorado State (13-7, 4-3 MW) on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 8 p.m. Fans can watch the games live on ESPNU (Comcast Ch. 400, DirecTV Ch. 208, Dish Ch. 141).