Boise State fights, comes up just short against #23 Oregon

Last year, Boise State held off a double-digit comeback effort by Oregon on the final possession for a 74-72 victory over the 24th-ranked Ducks. On Monday night, Oregon was able to make the final push.

Dylan Ennis scored 18 points and added six rebounds and Tyler Dorsey scored another 17 as #23 Oregon came from behind to knock off the upset-minded Boise State Broncos (3-3) Monday night by a score of 68-63.

Boise State came into the game as hefty 17-point underdogs, but the Broncos imposed their will and led for over 35 minutes of the game. BSU roared out to a 29-15 advantage with 8:17 remaining in the first half, the largest lead of the game for either team. Oregon led 6-4 just over two minutes after tip-off, but didn’t regain the advantage until a Dylan Ennis three-pointer with 3:33 left gave the Ducks a 60-58 lead.

Though the loss will be a difficult pill for the Broncos to swallow, it was an inspiring performance from a Boise State team that is young and is still searching for its identity. Senior forward Nick Duncan started off hot but finished 5-13 from deep for 15 points. Paris Austin led the Broncos with 16 points, going 5-11 from the field and also dishing out four assists. Freshman forward Justinian Jessup, who scored 20 points against Presbyterian last week was the third Bronco in double figures with 11 points.

Boise State has a tough stretch ahead as it will host the SMU Mustangs Wednesday night at Taco Bell Arena. After Wednesday’s game, Boise is back on the road to battle Evansville in the annual Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge on Saturday. That game will be seen on ESPN3.