Aggies top Bulldogs in overtime in Queta’s return

With Fresno State down three in the final seconds, Fresno State guard New Williams’ got a shot off a heartbeat before the buzzer sounded. All eyes in the Spectrum watched as it sailed through the air and banked off the glass, the rim, and finally, into the net. 

With that one basket, Fresno State University managed to force overtime in what was a very ugly game for the Utah State University men’s basketball team on Saturday.

But the Aggies didn’t falter.

“A lot of teams can hang their head and allow that to lose the game for them,” senior guard Sam Merrill said. “Fortunately, we have a tough group we were able to rebound from that.”

Utah State’s overtime play was the best part of their game against the Bulldogs. The team went from shooting a lifeless 26.7 percent in the first half and 40 percent in the second, to 60 percent and going 2-3 from the three-point line in overtime. That improvement led to a 77-70 victory for the Aggies. The team is now 2-0 in conference play.

“We were just able to grind,” head coach Craig Smith said. “It was ugly and we’ve had a couple of these ugly games now…so we gotta find some different ways to get some more rhythm threes.”

And even though shooting struggles were not one-sided — Fresno State only shot 36.8 percent the entire game — Utah State’s low percentages led to an eight-point deficit in the second half. 

But things began to change when sophomore center Neemias Queta — who made his season debut against the Bulldogs — checked back into the game.

Though Queta’s performance was limited by a minute restriction due to his offseason knee injury, he still managed to sink six free throws and give his team a much needed morale boost.

“It was awesome to have Neemi back,” junior guard Abel Porter said. “He just brings so much on the defensive end — and I think he was kind of a little bit of energy spark that we needed tonight when shots weren’t falling and things weren’t really going our way.”

When Aggie fans saw their King of the Key’s return to the court, it was met by a standing ovation.

After getting subbed-in during the second half, Utah State’s shots finally started to sink. But so did Fresno’s.

“All of a sudden, late in the game, we can’t miss and they can’t miss,” Smith said.

Games against Fresno usually aren’t easy. Five of the last six games the Aggies have played against the Bulldogs have been decided by seven points or less.

“Every game we play with them, with the exception of that tournament game last year, just feels like a grind,” Merrill said.

Saturday’s back-and-forth battle finally ended in the last few minutes of overtime with big plays. Sophomore forward Justin Bean forced a critical turnover on an in-bounds play  and Porter sank a contested three-pointer which started Utah State’s final run. Bean and Porter scored all of the Aggie’s last nine points in overtime.

Saturday marked Bean’s seventh double-double of the season and fifth in a row. He had 14 points and led the team with 13 rebounds and five steals.

“He’s so active,” Smith said. “He’s got a nose for the ball. He just finds the ball, the ball just comes to him all the time and that’s not an accident. That’s a talent.”

Merrill led the team in points, finishing with a total of 24.

Up next, Utah State will square up against Saint Katherine on Tuesday night in the Spectrum. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.