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by: Wade Denniston, USU Athletic Media Relations
 
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Mountain West Player of the Year Sam Merrill recorded 23 points and nine assists, helping Utah State rally for a 91-83 victory over New Mexico in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Tournament on Thursday night at UNLV's Thomas & Mack Center.

Freshman Neemias Queta added 16 points and six rebounds for the Aggies (26-6), who won for the 15th time in their last 16 outings.
 
Utah State overcame a season-high 24 turnovers, which led to 22 points by the Lobos (14-18).
 
Junior guard Diogo Brioto and redshirt freshman forward Justin Bean each added 14 points off the bench for the Aggies, who shot 53.2 percent from the field (25-of-47), including 46.2 percent from 3-point range (6-of-13), and 77.8 percent from the free throw line (35-of-45).
 
New Mexico led 78-76 with 3:24 to go after Anthony Mathis hit a 3-pointer, but sophomore guard Abel Porter gave the Aggies the lead for good when he converted an old fashioned three-point play with 3:14 to go.
 
Porter ignited a game-changing 12-2 run for the Aggies.
 
New Mexico got 25 points from Vance Jackson, 16 from Corey Manigualt and 14 from Anthony Mathis. The Lobos shot just 38.9 percent from the field (28-of-72), including 34.5 percent from 3-point range (10-of-29), and 81.0 percent from the free throw line (17-of-21).
 
The Aggies dominated the boards, outrebounding New Mexico 46-28. Bean grabbed a career-high 15 boards, while senior forward Quinn Taylor pulled down eight.
 
Utah State improved to 21-20 all-time in first-round/quarterfinal games and 44-32 all-time in conference tournament games.
 
USU enjoyed a 36-32 advantage in points in the paint and tallied a total of seven blocks, marking the 15th time this season the Aggies have blocked at least five shots in a game.
 
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