Final: Boise State 78, New Mexico 80
First things first...
Anthony Drmic went OFF in the first half, scoring 23 points—including five 3-pointers—when the rest of the Bronco squad combined for just 14. Drmic headed to the locker room just one point off his season high 24 and might have taken the game completely over had UNM not gotten just as hot from downtown as the Broncos. Despite the Drmic deluge, the Broncos slid into the locker room down by 5, would Drmic be able to get the Broncos over the hump in the second half? Well...
Drmic's scoring bonanza dried up a bit, but the Broncos charged back—storming ahead in the 2nd half and bloating their lead all the way to 15 with six minutes to go in the contest. But, as is the Bronco custom...they allowed a late charge by the Lobos, who crept back within 1 with a minute to play behind the inspired play of Elijah Brown, who pitched in 11 points in the last 4 minutes of the contest (including two HUGE 3-pointers). Out of a late timeout, James Webb promptly turned the ball over on a travel and a Nick Duncan foul put the Lobos on the line with under :30 to play...JUST LIKE WE DREW IT UP. Needless to say, the Lobos hit their free throws (something we AGAIN failed to do late) and the Broncos utterly choked away a much-needed and probably a deserved win in Albuquerque. Webb finished with another double-double, Drmic led all scorers with 30 points and Montigo Alford played inspired defense...but well, that's just not enough sometimes when you can't get out of your own way.
Final stats are below if you aren't too disgusted to look