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NCAA Basketball: Bowling Green, Sam Merrill top mid-major performers of the week

By Logan Butts

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: Sam Merrill #5 of the Utah State Aggies reacts in the final seconds of the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament San Diego State Aztecs at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Utah State won 64-57. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: Sam Merrill #5 of the Utah State Aggies reacts in the final seconds of the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament San Diego State Aztecs at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Utah State won 64-57. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 21: Trevelin Queen #20 of the New Mexico State Aggies shoots the ball during the second half against the Auburn Tigers in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 21, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 21: Trevelin Queen #20 of the New Mexico State Aggies shoots the ball during the second half against the Auburn Tigers in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 21, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Best Mid-Major Matchup: New Mexico 78, New Mexico State 77

There’s a new sheriff in town in New Mexico. Following a 30-win season and a near-upset of Final Four bound Auburn in the first round of last season’s NCAA Tournament, the New Mexico State Aggies have had a tough start to the 2019-20 campaign. But the toughest part for the Aggies is probably losing to rival New Mexico at home.

JaQuan Lyle, finally playing after sitting out two full seasons following his transfer from Ohio State, scored 24 points and added two assists and three steals to lead the Lobos to the one-point win.

Trevelin Queen paced the Aggies with 23-9-4-1, but it wasn’t enough as NMSU dropped a contest to their rival for the first time since 2016.

The Lobos are off to a strong start to the season, with their only loss coming to unbeaten UTEP. New Mexico could be Utah State’s toughest competition in the Mountain West this season.

Other standout games included a trio of triple overtime outings, a double-overtime matchup, and a coach returning to his former home in a rivalry game.

dark. Next. Top 25 power rankings

Yale dispatched Siena 100-89 in triple overtime, Boise State survived Pacific 82-76 in triple OT, Evansville outpaced Morgan State 115-112 in triple overtime, Texas Southern squeaked by Northern Kentucky 98-96 in double overtime, and Belmont defeated Lipscomb 73-67 in head coach Casey Alexander’s first Battle of the Boulevard after switching back to the Bruins.

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