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In a game where it never seemed that the Boise State Broncos couldn't catch a break, it finally did at the 2:28 mark. With Colorado State up 73-68, Rams coach Larry Eustachy was called for a technical foul for arguing a call. With the Taco Bell Arena waiting to erupt, after two made free throws by Derrick Marks, the run was on.
Rob Heyer then hit a layup for Boise which followed with a go ahead bucket from beyond the arc by, you guessed it, Derrick Marks. Both teams knocked down 12 three pointers in the game, and combined total of 47 attempted shots from long range. Watching this game from my frigid home in Syracuse, New York, this game came down to two things. The Rams were outscored 52-38 in the second half, but it was offensive rebounding that kept Colorado State the advantage for most of the half. Boise was out rebounded 39-27 and 15-10 on offensive rebounds.
Looking back at the stat sheet, Colorado State really played a very good game. They shot 45.8 percent from the field and had four scorers in double digits. J.J. Avila was virtually stopped by the Bronco defense. he finished with 10 points and 9 rebounds, but couldn't seem to get anything going.
He only made 3 field goals and missed both shots he attempted from three point range. Daniel Bejarano had a tremendous game with 19 points, eight rebounds and one assist. Both stars Marks and Avila looked to be forcing their shots, but it was Marks who heated up in the second half. He was 3-4 from three point range and was 8-17 from the field. His most important statistic however may be the 9 free throws he made. Derrick finished the night with 28 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals. And just for laughs he also he had three turnovers.
With a win for the Rams, they would of been in a three way tie for first place in the Mountain West, but instead the sit at 2nd place with the Broncos. After a four-game losing streak during the holidays, 2015 has been very nice to Boise State as they currently ride a five game winning streak. The regular season conference crown is wide open, which will only make the conference tournament come march even better.