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LOGAN (AP) — Koby McEwen scored 28 points including the go-ahead layup in overtime to send Utah State past Fresno State 81-79 on Wednesday night.
McEwens's layup gave Utah State (9-7, 2-1 Mountain West Conference) a 76-75 lead with 1:42 to play. Quinn Taylor blocked Deshon Taylor's jump shot on the Bulldogs' next possession before making a layup for a three-point lead with 59 seconds left.
The teams traded a free throw each and Sam Merrill gave the Aggies a five-point advantage when he made a pair of free throws with four seconds to go. Jahmel Taylor buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the final margin.
"That was a fun one. A gritty win for us," Merrill said after the game. "We haven't had a lot of those the last couple years. We were down, found a way to come back, guarded really well in the last three minutes in overtime and our defense is what won that game."
McEwen made 1 of 2 free throws to tie it at 69 near the end of regulation. Quinn Taylor gathered the offensive rebound off McEwen's miss but missed the short shot for the chance to win.
Sam Merrill made all eight of his free throws and scored 16 points for the Aggies. Alex Dargenton added 13 and Dwayne Brown Jr. 11.
Deshon Taylor led Fresno State (11-5, 1-2) with 24 points, Bryson Williams scored 18, making all seven of field goals and Jahmel Taylor scored 14.
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.@USUBasketball is now 2-1 in conference play after a nice overtime win over Fresno State. Koby McEwen had 28 points including the go-ahead bucket in OT. He looked REALLY good tonight. @ScottyG1280 on the call. pic.twitter.com/g2dXtlJqd8
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) January 4, 2018
