by: Wade Denniston, USU Athletic Media Relations
LOGAN, Utah –
Brock Miller's career night proved too much for Denver.
The sophomore guard poured in a career-high 27 points as the No. 17/19 Utah State men's basketball team rolled past Denver 97-56 on Tuesday night in a non-conference game at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
It marked just the fourth time in school history that the Aggies (3-0) have won by at least 40 points in back-to-back games, and the first since the 1944-45 campaign. The other two times occurred during the 1913-14 and 1930-31 seasons, respectively.
Miller's previous career high of 26 against Mississippi Valley State occurred nearly a year ago to the day Nov. 13, 2018. The native of Sandy, Utah, also set career highs of field goals made (10), and attempted (19), 3-pointers made (7) and 3-pointers attempted (15) against the Pioneers (1-2).
Furthermore, Miller's seven made 3-pointers are tied for the sixth-most in school history, while his 15 attempts are tied for the third-most.
Sophomore forward
Justin Bean grabbed a career-high-tying 15 boards as Utah State doubled Denver on the glass, 50-25. The Aggies also had 23 assists – five each by senior guard
Sam Merrill and junior guard
Abel Porter – on 32 made baskets.
The Aggies shot 47.8 percent from the field on the night (32-of-67), including 46.7 percent from beyond the arc (14-of-30), and 79.2 percent from the free throw line (19-of-24). Utah State's 14 made 3-pointers are tied for the second-most in school history.
Utah State's bench outscored Denver's 39-23, highlighted by a career-best 15-point effort from junior forward
Alphonso Anderson. Junior guard
Diogo Brito added 10 points off the bench for the Aggies.
Merrill was the final Aggie to score in double figures with 14.
The game was tied just once, at 3-all, but Utah State took firm control from that point on, using a 35-9 onslaught to open a 38-12 lead. The Aggies went into the break with a comfortable 53-27 cushion.
Guard Ade Murkey led the Pioneers with 14 points, while forward David Nzekwesi chipped in 12. Denver committed 15 turnovers, which led to 19 points on the other end of the floor by USU.
All eleven players that checked into the game for Utah State scored at least one point.
The Aggies will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m., when they welcome North Carolina A&T (1-2) to the Spectrum.
Utah State men's basketball news and information is available on Facebook (facebook.com/usumensbasketball), on Twitter (@usubasketball) and on Instagram (@usubasketball). Fans can also get USU men's basketball highlights on YouTube (youtube.com/utahstateathletics). Aggie fans can follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter (@usuathletics), on Facebook (facebook.com/usuathletics) or on Instagram (@usuathletics).
-USU-