And boy, was it a huge victory. Only days after seeing a 22-game homecourt winning streak come to end in a narrow loss to the UNLV Rebels, Boise State (13-5, 4-1) needed this win Saturday. The Broncos used another strong defensive effort combined with solid three-point shooting to take down the San Diego Aztecs, 67-66.
Games between these programs, especially in recent seasons, seem to always come down to the wire. In the brutal and wild Mountain West Conference, every game seems like a do-or-die affair. This one was no different, with each program battling to remain tied atop the standings.
Boise State bounced back nicely after the disappointing loss to the Rebels, who fell to Colorado State on Friday night. The Broncos did so in part by limiting Aztec star Jaedon LeDee to 13 points and eight rebounds while forcing him into four turnovers.
It was a group effort against LeDee, with Tyson Degenhart, Cam Martin, and O'Mar Stanley handling the bulk of the work.
Stanley found his touch on the offensive end as well, scoring a game-high 17 points. Stanley, who forced a few bad-looking three-point attempts against UNLV, had some redemption on Saturday, connecting on 3-3 from deep. And though he had some bad turnovers (again), Stanley tied Max Rice with a team-high seven rebounds, continuing to be an integral part to this team.
Stanley was one of four Broncos to score in double figures. Roddie Anderson III, improving every game, scored a season-high 14 points, with Chibuzo Agbo and Degenhart adding 11 apiece.
There were some harrowing moments, especially as an eight-point lead with 41 seconds left dwindled, but the Broncos did just enough. Especially pleasing considering the Broncos led most of the game while improving to 11-0 this season when leading at halftime.
First half
The back-and-forth between these two teams started early, with two ties and two lead changes. Agbo, Rice, and Anderson all hit early three-pointers, with Anderson's bucket giving the Broncos a 13-10 lead.
It was a lead Boise State didn't relinquish the rest of the half. Degenhart and Stanley went to work, and freshman Andrew Meadow hit a huge corner three, off a nice pass from Jace Whiting, to give the Broncos their largest lead at 26-16.
San Diego State clawed back, using an 11-3 run to close within two points at 29-27. Both teams solidified their defense the final 3:39 of the half, with Boise State heading to the locker room with a 34-31 lead.
Stanley and Anderson combined for 19 first-half points and Boise State was 6-14 from deep while holding San Diego State (15-4, 4-2) to 1-8 from three-point range.
Boise State had nice bench contributions in this half from the usual suspects in their rotation. Meadow hit the three, while Martin and Whiting each dished out two assists while playing valuable minutes.
Second half
Both teams had trouble scoring to open the second frame. No points were scored the first 3:08 of the half, with Degenhart finally snapping the drought.
San Diego State didn't hit their first field goal of the half until the 15:18 mark but it sparked the Aztecs. While Boise State struggled to a 2-14 effort to open the frame, San Diego State chipped away and tied the game at 42 with 10:55 remaining.
Then, a flurry of offense occurred, with seven lead changes over the next three minutes of play. The Aztecs held their last lead of the game at 50-49.
Boise State rattled off a 10-2 run, capped by a Stanley three ball. Despite some struggles (a season long theme) of handling backcourt pressure, the Broncos held on for the victory.
Free throws helped, too, though Boise State could have been a little better. The Broncos finished 14-20 from the line, with Agbo, Anderson, and Rice each missing one down the stretch.
Rice had a cold game, shooting 1-8 but he had much better shot selection this game and had a few rim out. Rice also finds other ways to contribute, giving some of his best efforts on defense and dishing out three assists.
Bench play for the Broncos also held steady in the second half. Whiting and Martin both knocked down three-pointers, with the two playing 16 and 14 minutes, respectively.
For San Diego State, Reese Waters added 10 points. He and LeDee were the only Aztecs in double figures, but San Diego State's bench combined for 24.
Boise State will be back in action Tuesday night (1/23) in Fresno State ahead of a huge home game next Saturday (1/27). The Broncos host the Utah State Aggies, who are currently ranked 16th in the nation, in what could be a battle for sole possession of first place in the Mountain West.
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