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Boise State (11-4) sped past San Diego State (8-7) 78-66 at Taco Bell Arena Saturday night.
Five Broncos finished in double figures, as Zach Haney and James Reid both scored 19 points apiece off the bench as BSU managed revenge on an SDSU squad that spoiled a 10-game winning streak last season in Boise. Dakarai Allen (17 points) and Max Hoetzel (16 points) led San Diego State.
Last January, Boise State carried a 13-4 record (and school record 10-game winning streak) into a massive Mountain West showdown with San Diego State for the frontrunner status in the conference. The Broncos laid an egg, shooting 1-17 from deep in its worst offensive performance of the season, and BSU was never able to regain its footing - eventually dropping its first round Mountain West tournament matchup in March, ending a once-promising season.
The start to Saturday’s game seemed reminiscent of last year’s SDSU-BSU matchup, as the home Broncos trailed 21-10 with only four made field goals (all layups/dunks) in the first nine minutes of the game.
Then, BSU ramped up the defensive pressure and started to heat up from the field. San Diego State connected on just two field goals in the final 7:02 of the first period, allowing Boise State to grab a 39-35 advantage heading to the intermission. James Reid had 14 of his season-high 19 points in the first half for the Broncos.
The second half was much of the same for Boise State. A Chandler Hutchison jumper with 10:11 remaining gave the Broncos a double-digit lead at 61-50. Nick Duncan, who didn’t record a made basket in the first period, then added two shots from deep to completely drain any possibility of SDSU regaining its first half momentum. BSU led by as many as 16 in the second frame.
Boise State now moves to 4-0 in conference play, and will take its 7-game winning streak on the road to Fresno State. San Diego State drops to 0-3 in conference play and will hope to pick up its first ‘W’ against San Jose State on Tuesday night.