The Utah State Aggies came into Taco Bell Arena with a convincing win against Nevada. The Broncos, also, came into today’s contest with a solid road win the Colorado State Rams. Broncos were helped by the Aggies win to regain a tie for first in the Mountain West Conference at 7-3. The MWC is so weird this year.
The Broncos opened the game with a James Reid three. The hope would be that would be a preview for what was to come. And, for a time, it was. The Broncos had even extend their opening lead to 12 with a Justinian Jessup three, 23-11.
But that’s where the Broncos got cold, and sloppy. It all started with a missed jumper by Paris Austin and, unfortunately, went downhill from there. The Nick Duncan misses a three on the next Broncos possession. A turnover by Chandler Hutchison. It all contributed to the mini-meltdown.
An Alex Hobbs jumper broke the scoring drought, and bleeding, to get the Broncos back up to 25-21. But the Aggies were not done with their particular run. The Aggies would eventually take the lead with 4:26 left in the half on a Utah State Quinn Taylor layup 31-29 for the Aggies. David Wacker tied the game, 31 each, with 79 seconds left in the half. Utah State did score to pull ahead, but Chandler Hutchison scored the final points of the half to send the teams tied 31 each.
The second half started much of the same as the first half ended: with the Broncos not getting great looks and the Aggies able to score when it matters. Though, luckily for the Broncos, the Aggies could not get more than four points up on the Broncos. Whenever the Aggies tried to pull away, Broncos did match.
At the 10:43 mark in the second half, Justinian Jessup hit an inspiring three pointer and spurred a mini-run for the Broncos. The Broncos would go 9-0 and pull to a 54-48 lead. It would be Utah State’s Jalen Moore to break that cycle and get the Aggies to within four: 50-54.
That is when the Broncos started their second half momentum. Boise State was able to extend their lead, and the momentum, to get themselves up 10 points. The Aggies did not go away as Alexis Dargenton had 14 points for the Aggies.
Per the usual, the Broncos did let the Aggies back into the game, and it was only decided in the last few seconds. The Broncos did come away with the important win, though, 72-70.
Justinian Jessup had seven points and two rebounds.
Chandler Hutchison had a Bronco-high 18 points and six rebounds.
Paris Austin had himself a game with 16 points and four assists.