Utah State closes on 9-0 run to get past UNLV 85-78

LAS VEGAS -- Koby McEwen scored 21 points, Sam Merrill added 20 and Utah State closed on a 9-0 run and beat UNLV 85-78 on Saturday night.

Jordan Johnson scored four points during an 8-2 spurt to give UNLV a 78-76 lead with two minutes left. Merrill made a 3-pointer, McEwen hit a 3 and made two free throws, and Dwayne Brown Jr. split a pair from the line to seal it for Utah State (10-7, 3-1 Mountain West).

McEwen was 6 of 16 from the field and made all eight of his free throws. Merrill was 8-of-15 shooting and made three 3-pointers. Brown finished with 15 points and Daron Henson chipped in 12.

Brandon McCoy scored 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field to lead UNLV (12-4, 1-2). Johnson added 16 points.