Logan • Brock Miller’s career night led to an easy win for Utah State.
Miller scored a career-high 27 points as the No. 17 Aggies (3-0) cruised to a 97-56 victory over Denver.
“These guys were able to find open looks for me, wide open. All of us were able to share the ball with each other and get it going early,” Miller said.
The sophomore guard had four rebounds and three assists to go with his good shooting night.
“Brock’s not afraid to rise and fire. I thought tonight he just did a really good job of letting the game come to him,” Utah State coach Craig Smith said.
Alphonso Anderson had 15 points and Sam Merrill added 14 points and five assists. Justin Bean led the Aggies with 15 rebounds.
Ade Murkey led Denver (1-2) with 14 points.
“I thought we had some good moments. The Aggies came out and shot the ball really well. It’s a good team led by a good leader,” Denver head coach Rodney Billups said. “They were ready to play, they were ready to go, they shot the ball really well early, and we couldn’t recover.”
Utah State turned in its best offensive night of the year, scoring a season-high 97 points. The Aggies shot 47.8% from the field and 46.7% from 3-point range. Utah State snagged 17 offensive rebounds and scored 16 second-chance points.
The Aggies jumped out to a 18-5 lead over the first five minutes. Miller was feeling it early, scoring Utah State’s first eight points with two 3-pointers and a jumper. The Aggies stretched their lead to 31-7 with 11 minutes remaining in the first half after an Anderson 3-pointer.
During the opening nine minutes of the game, the Aggies were especially stingy on defense. After David Nzekwesi scored Denver’s first three points on the game 45 seconds into the contest on a three-point play, Utah State allowed just four points over the next eight minutes. Over that time, the Aggies went on a 28-4 run. Utah State’s defense forced Denver to 36% shooting from the field and just 13% from beyond the arc. The Aggies also forced six turnovers in the first half.
Utah State’s defense was equally as good after the halftime break, holding Denver to just five points in the first seven minutes of the final half.
Utah State again played without sophomore center Neemias Queta as he continues to recover from a knee injury. Starting in his place was Kuba Karwowski.
The Aggies continue their seven-game homestand to open the season Friday, taking on North Carolina A&T at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
Utah Valley 101, Ottawa (Ariz.) 70 • In Orem, Brandon Averette had 17 points to lead five Utah Valley players in double figures as the Wolverines routed the Spirit.
Casdon Jardine added 15 points for the Wolverines. Jamison Overton and Trey Woodbury chipped in 14 apiece and Brandon Morley added 10 while pulling down 14 rebounds. Jardine also had eight rebounds for the Wolverines, while Overton grabbed eight rebounds.
Brian Carey had 18 points for the Spirit. Elijah Simmons added 15 points. Shazier Lawson had 14 points and nine rebounds.
Utah Valley (2-1) faces UAB on the road on Friday.