Rebel Yelp: Broncos survive UNLV in overtime

Final: Boise State 93, UNLV 91 (OT)

First Half

That was about as tight a first half as you could imagine. Boise State led for over 10 minutes but could never swell their lead to more than 6 points. For their part, UNLV led for just 5 minutes of the first stanza and never by more than 3, but they surged at the end of the half to take a slim 1-point lead into the locker room. No team had a rebounding advantage in the first half (15-15) but UNLV was more efficient with their scoring, shooting 47% from behind the arc and and smoldering 62% from the floor. I think there’s a reason they lead the MWC in scoring offense. At the half, looking like a game that will go down to the wire. In other words, the worst kind of game.

Second Half

Rebels seemed to come out of the locker room with more energy and were able to get a 5-point cushion between themselves and the Broncos. Boise State stayed stingy though and wouldn’t go away...then the threes happened. Boise State went on 14-0 run to take a 12-point lead on the Runnin’ Rebels before the bleeding stopped and it was helped along by FOUR straight three-pointers from Justinian Jessup, with Lexus Williams joining the three party as well. Some mini-runs by UNLV lowered the decibel level in Taco Bell Arena and a pretty hotly contested game continued the rest of the way. Again, UNLV surged at the right time and though the Broncos led by 4 with under 30 seconds in the ball game, UNLV hit a CLUTCH 3 at the other end to make it a one-point contest with just 20 seconds left. Pepto Bismol time. 12-4 run at the end of regulation by UNLV is how you get OT, folks.

You saw the score...you know how this one ended. Broncos hold on and get their 19th win of the season (and remained perfect at home). Hutchison led the Broncos with 21 and 4 other players joined him in double-digits. Rebels led by Brandon McCoy (24) and Jordan Johnson (23).