The Boise State men’s basketball wrapped up a four game trip to Costa Rica Monday, finishing with a 3-1 record.
On Friday, the Broncos tipped off with a doubleheader - an evening matchup against Brock University (St. Catharines, Ontario) and a nightcap against the University of Ottawa.
BSU dominated Brock University 76-56 in the first game of the day. Paris Austin (Sophomore) and Alex Hobbs (Freshman) started in the backcourt, with Chandler Hutchison (Junior), Zach Haney (Sophomore) and Robin Jorch (Sophomore) rounded out the Bronco lineup.
Haney was the star against Brock, connecting on 11 of his 14 shot attempts for a total of 25 points while adding a block and a steal. Jorch (13 points), Austin (10 points) and senior forward Nick Duncan (10 points) also finished in double figures for Boise.
Head coach Leon Rice shifted up the starting lineup in the final game of the day, inserting Marcus Dickinson (Freshman) and Malek Harwell (Freshman) into the backcourt to go along with Duncan, Hutchison and center David Wacker. Though the Broncos came up short in the 90-88 defeat to Ottawa, there were still a number of bright spots. Senior guard James Reid - who used his redshirt last year - torched the perimeter with a 5-9 stroke from deep, finishing with 17 points off the bench for BSU.
Zach Haney continued his impressive day on the hardwood against Ottawa, knocking down six of 10 from the field and grabbing seven boards, including three on the offensive end.
Here’s a look at Reid draining a three-pointer coming off a screen against Ottawa, video courtesy of Idaho Statesman’s Dave Southorn.
James Reid nails a 3-pointer. pic.twitter.com/FS95jutI7N
— Dave Southorn (@IDS_Southorn) August 13, 2016
The Broncos were back at it Saturday night with a matchup against the Costa Rica National Team. Coach Rice shuffled the starting lineup yet again, this time with Harwell, Haney, Duncan, Austin and freshman guard Cameron Oluyitan in the starting five. Boise State routed Costa Rice 74-54 thanks to a strong performance by Justinian Jessup (another freshman guard) who knocked down four of his six shot attempts from beyond the arc. Alex Hobbs was able to shake off his cold shooting Friday with a 6-8 mark from the field in 24 minutes off the bench.
After a 90-88 loss to Ottawa on Friday, BSU was determined to seek revenge on Sunday afternoon in Costa Rica. The Broncos were able to do just that, crushing Ottawa by a final score of 73-49. Boise State ramped up the defensive intensity in this one, forcing 25 Ottawa turnovers. Nick Duncan and Chandler Hutchison both recorded two steals, but Hutchison was the star in the Costa Rica finale with a 14&10 double-double. Paris Austin also enjoyed another strong outing, scoring 13 points and dishing out three assists. The Broncos outscored Ottawa 37-20 in the second half en route to the easy victory.
Overall, it was a solid trip for the young Boise State squad. Rice ensured that nearly every player on the roster would handle a solid chunk of playing time during the trip. In four games, Zach Haney led the team in scoring with 13.5 points per game and rebounds with 4.5 per game. Other bright spots included Nick Duncan finishing 12-13 from the free throw line and a blazing 57.1% from beyond the arc. Paris Austin also appears more comfortable with the ball in his hands, hitting a respectable amount of his field goal attempts while also (surprisingly) finishing third on the team with 3.5 rebounds per game.
Boise State returns home on Tuesday, but not before Coach Rice enjoys slithering down a Costa Rican water slide.
Leon Rice on a natural water slide in the Costa Rican rain forest is the video you never knew you needed. pic.twitter.com/kzTL23dHhD
— Boise State Men's BB (@BroncoSportsMBB) August 15, 2016