Monday, January 19, 2015

Broncos Cruise Past New Mexico on the Road 69-59

 
Derrick Marks and James Webb III were a two-man show for Boise State yesterday afternoon, as Boise State cruised by New Mexico 69-59 in Albuquerque.

The Lobos do not lose at home often; Boise State's win yesterday kept them from winning their 700th game at "The Pit".  New Mexico is now 699-154 all-time for an incredible winning percentage of 82.04%.  The Lobos came into the game 10-0 this season at home, with a three-year record of 42-3 at The Pit.


Webb hurt the Lobos with perfect three-point shooting (7-7), and Marks scored from all over the court as the Broncos won their second straight game. Marks (31 points) and Webb (23) combined for 54 of Boise State's 69 points. Those two shot a sizzling 18-of-25 from the field (72%) yesterday; the rest of the Bronco team was 4-of-24 (16.7%).

It was Nick Duncan, however, that nailed the biggest shot for Coach Leon Rice. With the game tied at 55 at the 3:38 mark, Duncan hit a three-pointer to put Boise State ahead for good. Long-range shooting proved to be the difference in the game; the Broncos shot 11-26 from beyond the arc to just 2-14 for New Mexico. Jordan Goodman hit one of two free throws to cut the Bronco lead to 58-57, but a basket by Marks, another three-pointer by Webb III, and free throws down the stretch from Marks (10-11 for the game) helped Boise State pull away.

The homestanding Lobos jumped out to a 22-14 lead, but four consecutive three-pointers by Webb helped Boise State reduce the lead to 31-30 at the half.

Boise State came out of the locker room inspired, and, behind a 14-6 run, went ahead 44-37. But the tradition-rich Lobos clawed back, with Hugh Greenwood tying the game at 48, the first of four ties before Duncan's clutch three-pointer.

Marks scored over 30 points for the fourth time this season and the eighth time in his career. The talented senior now has 1,589 career points and is just 13 shy of legendary Chris Childs for fifth place all-time at Boise State.

Marks moved past both Childs (540) and Abe Jackson (544) and is now third place with 549 career field goals.

Deshawn Delaney led the Lobos with 13 points while Jordan Goodman had 10. New Mexico dropped to 4-2 in Mountain West Conference play and 12-6 overall.

Boise State is also now 12-6 overall and 2-3 in conference, needing a win over San Jose State Wednesday night to pull even in Mountain West play.