Utah State Swept by Boise State

The Utah State vs Boise State series was a big opportunity for both teams and one team took major advantage. Boise State won two close games against Utah State and showed resilience throughout the series, being down 11-2 in game two and being down by nine in the second half in game two, yet fighting back to win both games. Utah State outscored Boise State 37-30 in the first half but Boise State stormed back in the second half, outscoring the Aggies 51-40.

Neemias Queta had another big game for Utah State, putting up 30 points on 14-19 shooting (73.7%), 2-4 from the free throw line. He also had 11 rebounds (five defensive, six offensive), three assists, three steals, two blocks, four turnovers, and three personal fouls. Justin Bean posted 11 points on 4-7 shooting (57.1%), 3-3 from the free throw line, and five rebounds (two defensive, three offensive), an assist, a steal, three blocks, and four personal fouls. Brock Miller had 10 points on 4-8 shooting, 2-5 from three (40%), and also had four rebounds (three defensive, one offensive), an assist, and two personal fouls. Marco Anthony scored nine points on 3-12 shooting (25%), 1-3 from three (33.3%), 2-4 from the free throw line, and also had three rebounds (one defensive, two offensive), three assists, and two personal fouls. Steven Ashworth once again stepped in for starter Rollie Worster who was out with a boot on his leg and had seven points off of 3-8 shooting (37.5%), 1-4 from three (25%) and also had two rebounds, five assists, a turnover, and two personal fouls.

Off the bench, Alphonso Anderson was the most productive, scoring eight points on 4-8 shooting. He also had three rebounds (one defensive, two offensive), an assist, and a turnover.

As a team, Utah State shot 33-66 (50%), 4-14 from three (28.6%), and went 7-11 from the free throw line (63.6%). Boise State went 29-54 (53.7%), 7-17 from three (41.2%), and went 16-20 from the free throw line (80%). Utah State once again outrebounded their opponent with a 34-25 advantage. Boise State held the advantage in assists with a 15-14 advantage. Both teams had six steals but Boise State had six blocks compared to the Aggies three. Utah State had 14 turnovers and Boise had 12 and the Aggies had 18 turnovers to Boise State’s 15.

At one point Utah State had a 10 point lead over the Broncos but that just wasn’t enough. going 4-14 from the free throw line didn’t help when Boise State really started having success with the three ball in the second half and Utah State wasn’t great at shooting free throws, missing four of them, shooting at 63.6%. The Aggies turned the ball over in some key moments where they could have build off of their lead. More Utah State players were involved in scoring compared to the first game but Boise State and their depth proved to be a little too much. This is a blow to Utah State who still has tournament hopes and a loss to Nevada in the next series might just lead to Utah State having to win the Mountain West tournament in order to confidently make it to the NCAA Tournament Field.