Neemias Queta’s Edge On Both Ends Of Floor Has Utah State In Second MWC Title Game
Mar 7, 2020, 1:21 AM | Updated: 11:52 am
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Utah State defeated Wyoming in the Mountain West Tournament Semifinals in a game that was tougher for the Aggies than the wise guys here in the desert thought it would be. But the game was even more difficult for the Pokes who had the tall order of trying to contain Aggie big man Neemias Queta.
The second half was filled with back-and-forth three-point shooting from both teams, but it was Queta in the post and on the defensive end of the floor that put Utah State over the top.
Craig Smith on Neemias Queta: “He has an infectious personality but he also has an edge to his game.”#AggiesAllTheWay | #MWMadness pic.twitter.com/BtBULugY0v
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 7, 2020
At the final media timeout of the game, Utah State led 70-66 with 3:40 remaining and then Queta took over.
The sophomore NBA Draft hopeful had a pair of blocks on the defensive end that got the Aggies out running and led to a pair of Sam Merrill daggers that put the game out of reach for good.
“He (Queta) does a phenomenal job,” said Sam Merrill. “That’s when we went on that big run that was spurred by him and his blocked shots and his energy. And he also helps us a ton on the offensive end. He’s a good pressure reliever for us. We know he can score on the block, but he’s also a great passer when teams double-team him. So he’s one of our catalysts for sure.”
One more win away from back-to-back Mountain West Tournament titles.#AggiesAllTheWay | #MWMadness pic.twitter.com/QqooZNcfGE
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 7, 2020
On the night, Queta put together one of the best games of his sophomore season scoring 21 points on 8-11 shooting from the field, six rebounds, five blocks, two steals, and one assist. The Aggies needed every bit of that performance from the 7-foot star to lift Utah State into the MWC Championship game for the second straight year.
Queta, who as coach Craig Smith would say has an infectious personality and edge to his game, has battled injuries all season and it’s kept him from being 100 percent throughout the year. Friday night was the closest anyone has seen Queta to 100 percent and it comes at the right time as now the Aggies prepare for a San Diego State team that is a potential No. 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament later this month.
“After two games in two days I would say I’m [doing] pretty good,” said Queta regarding his health. “But I’m just ready to go, whatever. Even if my knees were pretty bummed. I would just try to play. It’s the final and we’re just trying to win another conference championship. And that was the goal for the season and I think that we just got to put aside whatever we got and just try to play through whatever adversity we got and just try and win it again.”
The Aggies will now have that opportunity to “win it again” because of Queta and his dominance on both ends of the floor.
San Diego State vs. Utah State
Mountain West Conference Tournament Championship
Tip: 3:30 p.m. (MST)
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