Utah State takes aim from deep in first half against Gonzaga

Utah State dominated the Gonzaga Bulldogs from distance in the first half of Saturday’s game at The Kennel.

The Aggies piled on eight 3s in the first half, compared to Gonzaga’s four – including Silas Melson’s late 3 that gave the Zags a 45-42 lead at the half.

More than half of Utah State’s field-goal attempts in the first half have been from 3-point range (17 of 32). Sophomore guard Sam Merrill currently leads the Aggies with three 3-pointers.

The Aggies have been committed to shooting from distance this season, taking 42.5 percent of their shots from 3-point range.

The Aggies are on track to repeating their Wednesday game at Mississippi Valley when they poured on 15 3-pointers, the third-best in program history.

Their commitment to the 3s have become a trend in the last two seasons. Utah State has more 3-point shots in the last two years (1,313) than any other 2-year stint in team history.

Junior guard DeAngelo Isby, Utah State’s top shooter this season, currently leads the Aggies with eight total 3s this year. Isby has hit 1 of 3 from beyond the arc in the first half on Saturday.