Nevada provides the Broncos with a great road victory.
Tyson Degenhart’s two free throws with less than six minutes remaining put Boise State (12-4, 3-0 Mountain West) ahead 52-43, and the Broncos appeared to be about to put the Wolf Pack (15-2, 2-1) away. However, Nevada’s 7-0 run in the final minute cut the Nevada lead to just one possession before the Broncos rallied for their second Quad 1 victory of the week.
On Tuesday, Boise State defeated Colorado State 65-58 at home. Regarding Nevada, Boise State coach Leon Rice stated, “We knew we were coming in to play a really good team and they didn’t disappoint,” during the Bronco Radio Network postgame program. “Possession by possession, that was a war. I mention the boards a lot, but that’s what won it for us.
Boise State had a 43–24 lead in rebounds at the end of the game, including an 11-2 edge in offensive rebounds, from which they scored 12 points on second chances.
Degenhart told the Bronco Radio Network, “We had a collective effort on offensive rebounding, and it showed tonight.” “It was a strange play; they only had two offensive rebounds, one of which went off the edge of the backboard. It’s evidence of how much our coaching team has emphasized it. To win games when traveling, you must recover effectively.
Boise State’s Degenhart led the way with 20 points and 9 rebounds, followed by 9 rebounds apiece from O’Mar Stanley and Chibuzo Agbo. With 5:54 remaining, Degenhart scored his 20th point on a free throw to give the Broncos a nine-point advantage as Boise State attempted to wrap up its fourth consecutive victory and ninth in the previous ten games.
However, Nevada, entering on an eight-game winning streak of its own, had one final run. Tre Coleman made a jumper with 4:31 remaining in the game, drew a foul, and made the free throw to make it a 3-point play. With 3:40 remaining, the Broncos led 52–50 after a Coleman steal. Jarod Lucas then made a layup to trim the margin to four, and Nick Davidson’s subsequent steal resulted in a score by Kenan Blackshear.
Max Rice’s jumper with 1:16 remaining in the shot clock stretched Boise State’s lead to 57-53, and in the last minute of play, Boise State went 7 for 8 from the free throw line to seal the victory. Despite this, the score was still tied at two points.
Point guard Roddie Anderson III, who had been kept scoreless in the Broncos’ previous three games, scored 12 points along with Agbo. Two steals and four assists were contributed by Anderson.
Max Rice finished with eight rebounds and 10 points. Next week, Boise State will play two games at home: a Quad 1 matchup against San Diego State on January 20 and a matchup against UNLV on Tuesday.