Saturday, February 28, 2015

Boise State Beats San Diego State

Coach Leon Rice went to his bench often, and it was that bench that keyed a come-from-behind victory for Boise State over San Diego State in their backyard tonight, 66-56.

Teams don't usually win in Viejas, but then this Boise State team is all about achieving improbable wins in hostile environments.  They won at Albuquerque, at Logan, at Las Vegas, and now at San Diego, ending the nation's fifth-longest home winning streak at 29.

The Aztecs threatened to take command in both halves, but both times, Boise State was not to be denied.  San Diego State grabbed a 39-32 lead with 11:12 left, but intense defense forced the home team into numerous missed shots, and Boise State outscored the Aztecs 24-7 from that point forward.

Back-to-back threes from Rob Heyer and Montigo Alford and two free throws from Mikey Thompson put Boise State ahead 40-39 for the first time since they scored the opening basket of the game.  James Webb III then stripped the ball away from Trey Kell and went all the way in for a layup to put the Broncos up 42-39 with 7:42 remaining.

J.J. O'Brien answered with a jumper for San Diego State, but Kevin Allen secured an offense rebound and his basket, plus a damaging three from Webb gave Boise State a 47-41 lead. 

Coach Rice has slowly been building a deep and talented bench that will serve him very well come postseason.  These guys don't get the attention that the stars do, but tonight, the Broncos won on their backs.  Consider:

  • Rob Heyer--six points, seven rebounds (many of them crucial ones), an assist and a steal.
  • Mikey Thompson--six points, a perfect six-of-six free throws in the game's final frantic minutes, two assists, and two rebounds.
  • Montigo Alford--five points, a steal, and impressive decision-making running the Bronco offense.
  • Kevin Allen--two points, but it was a huge two points, getting a rebound and put-back to key a Bronco run that was the difference in the game.
  • David Wacker--no points, but collected a rebound and played valuable minutes inside combatting the Aztec big men.

Webb shook off a slow start to finish with 16 points, and he controlled the boards in the game's final ten minutes.  The Axtecs keyed on Derrick Marks, but he still led Boise State with 18 points, and with two steals, he moved into four place all-time for career steals.  Marks also passed Steve Connor (1977-78) and L'Shard Anderson (2010-11) for eighth place for points in a season (see lists at bottom of article.)  Marks also connected on five of seven free throws to move into sixth place with 145 free throws this season.

Just as they did in Boise, the Broncos' defense shut down San Diego State, allowing the Aztecs to hit just 32.7% of their shots (18-55), and dominated the boards, 42-30.

Boise State tied a school record with their 22nd regular season win, joining the 1987-88 Broncos, the 1988-89 team, and the 2007-08 Boise State team.  The Broncos have won 12 of their last 13 games, a late season surge the NCAA Selection Committee has said they look at closely.

Boise State plays San Jose State in San Jose next Wednesday.




Steals:
1.    215 Chris Childs (1985-1989)
2.    196 L'Shard Anderson (2008-2011)
3.    185 Doug Usitalo (1986-1988)

4.    180 Derrick Marks (2011-current)
5.    179 Gerry Washington (1995-1999)
5.    179 Anthony Thomas (2006-2010)

7.    151 Bruce Bolden (1981-1985)
8.    145 Mike Tolman (1992-1993/1995-1998)
9.    138 Roberto Bergersen (1996-1999)
10.  132 Rawn Hayes (1981-1984)
11.  129 Damon Archibald (1992-1995)
12.  125 Kejuan Woods (1998-2001)
13.  107 Lance Vaughn (1989-1993)



Points:
1.    661 Reggie Larry (2007-2008)
2.    644 Roberto Bergersen (1998-1999)
3.    636 Ron Austin (1970-1971)
4.    582 Roberto Bergersen (1997-1998)
5.    566 Tanoka Beard (1992-1993)
6.    565 Anthony Drmic (2012-2013)
7.    557 Abe Jackson (2001-2002)
8.    541 Derrick Marks (2014-15)
9.    530 Steve Connor (1977-1978)
10.  527 L'Shard Anderson (2010-2011)
10.  524 Tanoka Beard (1991-1992)



Free Throws:
1.    194 Ron Austin (1970-1971)
2.    171 Greg Bunn (1971-1972)
3.    168 Tanoka Beard (1992-1993)
4.    166 Tanoka Beard (1991-1992)
5.    148 Tanoka Beard (1990-1991)
6.    145 Derrick Marks (2013-2014)
7.    144 Derrick Marks (2012-2013)
8.    142 L'Shard Anderson (2010-2011)
9.    136 Reggie Larry (2007-2008)
10.  130 Arnell Jones (1986-1987)
11.  129 Wilson Foster (1988-1989)
12.  127 Pat Hoke (1975-1976)
13.  125 Roberto Bergersen (1998-1999)
14.  119 Arnell Jones (1987-1988)

Bronco Women Finish 7th

=============================================================================
                          Men - Team Rankings - 17 Events Scored            
=============================================================================
    1) New Mexico                 160        2) Colorado St.              140
    3) Air Force                  118        4) Utah State                111
    5) Wyoming                     70        6) Boise State                57

Men Finish Last

=============================================================================
                          Men - Team Rankings - 17 Events Scored            
=============================================================================
    1) New Mexico                 160        2) Colorado St.              140
    3) Air Force                  118        4) Utah State                111
    5) Wyoming                     70        6) Boise State                57

Elliott Gets 3rd in 5000

Boise State still in last, over 100 points behind the leader...

Event 11  Men 3000 Meter Run
=======================================================================     
One Section Final (regardless of # checked in)                             
2/3 of field on back waterfall line; 1/3 on forward alley                  
    Name                    Year School                  Finals  Points     
=======================================================================     
Finals                                                                      
  1 Adam Bitchell             SR New Mexico             8:11.05   10        
  2 Jefferson Abbey           SO Colorado St.           8:11.13    8        
  3 David Elliott             JR Boise State            8:17.26    6        
  4 Patrick Zacharias         SR New Mexico             8:18.21    5        
  5 Michael Vennard           FR Boise State            8:18.70    4        
  6 Jerrell Mock              SO Colorado St.           8:18.96    3        
  7 Ben Larson                SR Colorado St.           8:25.76    2        
  8 Riley Coates              SR Air Force              8:27.45    1        
  9 Grant Fischer             FR Colorado St.           8:30.03             
10 Colby Wilson              JR Utah State             8:34.59             
11 Eric Shellhorn            SR Utah State             8:35.00             
12 Amos Bowen                JR Wyoming                8:35.51             
13 Dylan Morin               JR Wyoming                8:36.32             
14 Kyle Eller                SO Air Force              8:38.76             
15 Rhys Park                 FR Boise State            8:39.68             
16 Andrew Johnston           FR Air Force              8:41.24             
17 Zach Castillo             FR New Mexico             8:43.28             
18 Dan Caddigan              JR Air Force              8:44.27             
19 Mike Bills                SR Utah State             8:44.42             
20 Aaron Derner              JR Wyoming                8:46.34             
21 Michael Seas              JR Wyoming                8:49.50             
22 Patrick Corona            JR Air Force              8:49.87             
23 Matthew Bergin            JR New Mexico             8:50.91             
24 Julian Florez             JR New Mexico             8:52.41             
25 Aaron Back                JR Boise State            8:53.82             
26 Alexander Pawlak          SO Wyoming                8:55.02             
27 Tom Derr                  SR Utah State             9:01.43             
28 Louis McAfee              FR Boise State            9:03.74             
29 Graham Thomas             JR New Mexico             9:11.68             
30 Justin Sheets             FR Utah State             9:19.48             
-- Jack Curran               FR Boise State                DNF             
-- Jeff Lautenslager         FR Boise State                DNF             
-- Kade Jensen               SR Utah State                 DNF             
-- Jordan Beutler            FR Utah State                 DNF             
-- Dustin Randall            FR Utah State                 DNF             
-- Ross Matheson             SR New Mexico                 DNF             
-- Elmar Engholm             SO New Mexico                 DNF             
=============================================================================

Boise State Women in 6th at Mountain West Indoor Track & Field Championships

    Women - Team Rankings - 15 Events Scored                
=================================================================================
    1) New Mexico                 127        2) Colorado St.               92   
    3) San Diego St.               78.50     4) UNLV                       68   
    5) Utah State                  45        6) Boise State                40.50
    7) Wyoming                     34        8) Nevada                     31.50
    9) Fresno State                27.50    10) Air Force                  24   
   11) San Jose St.                16     

Boise State Men in Dead Last

                       Men - Team Rankings - 12 Events Scored            
=============================================================================
    1) New Mexico                 125        2) Colorado St.              103
    3) Air Force                   88        4) Wyoming                    56
    4) Utah State                  56        6) Boise State                36

Bronco Men Take 2-3-5 in 400 Dash

The Boise State men finally score some points in the Mountain West Track & Field Championships.  Too bad the rest of the team can't do what the 400-meter runners did:

Finals                                                                      
  1 Cole Lambourne            JR Utah State               46.55   2  10     
       22.158 (22.158)                                                      
  2 Jordin Andrade            SR Boise State              47.03   2   8     
       22.228 (22.228)                                                      
  3 Fernando Martinez         SO Boise State              47.33   2   6     
       22.456 (22.456)                                                      
  4 Tanner Hunt               JR Utah State               47.83   2   5     
       22.666 (22.666)                                                      
  5 Kyle Kelley               FR Boise State              48.35   1   4     
       22.466 (22.466)                                                      
  6 Charles Lewis             SR New Mexico               48.45   1   3     
       22.252 (22.252)                                                      
  7 Tyler Koss                FR Air Force                48.87   1   2     
       22.497 (22.497)                                                      
  8 Mark Haywood              FR New Mexico               48.90   1   1     
       22.920 (22.920)               

Megan Kelly Finishes 3rd in 400

Event 6  Women 400 Meter Dash
=======================================================================        
Top 9 athletes advance by time                                                
Advance 4 fastest from Prelims to Heat 2 of 2-section Final;                  
Advance 5th - 9th fastest to Heat 1 of 2-section Final.                       
    Name                    Year School                  Finals  Points        
=======================================================================        
Finals                                                                         
  1 Holly VanGrinsven         JR New Mexico               54.69   2  10        
       25.338 (25.338)                                                         
  2 Laura Anuakpado           SO UNLV                     54.78   1   8        
       25.195 (25.195)                                                         
  3 Megan Kelley              SR Boise State              55.06   1   6        
       25.471 (25.471)                                                         
  4 Katherine Surin           FR Nevada                   55.38   1   5        
       26.180 (26.180)                                                         
  5 Tyra Lea                  SO San Diego St.            55.50   2   4        
       25.475 (25.475)                                                         
  6 Monay Meggs               JR UNLV                     55.74   2   3        
       24.987 (24.987)                                                         
  7 Erin Kirby                SR Wyoming                  55.89   1   2        
       26.015 (26.015)                                                         
  8 Dezirae Johnson           JR Fresno State             56.62   2   1        
       25.147 (25.147)                                                         

Courtney Hutchinson Third in Shot Put




Finals                                                                          
  1 Aaliyah Pete              SO Colorado St.            16.34m   53-07.50  10  
      16.34m  15.86m  FOUL                                                      
  2 Mackenna Howard           FR UNLV                    16.03m   52-07.25   8  
      14.49m  16.03m  15.60m  FOUL  FOUL  15.43m                                
  3 Courtney Hutchinson       SO Boise State             15.69m   51-05.75   6  
      15.69m  15.49m  FOUL  FOUL  15.29m                                        
  4 Kiah Hicks                SR Colorado St.            15.18m   49-09.75   5  
      15.18m  FOUL  FOUL                                                        
  5 Jasmine Burrell           SR San Diego St.           15.13m   49-07.75   4  
      14.79m  FOUL  15.13m  14.65m  FOUL  14.89m                                
  6 Rachel Alesi              SO San Diego St.           14.62m   47-11.75   3  
      14.62m  12.86m  14.28m  13.73m  FOUL  12.73m                              
  7 Lacie Rasley              JR Boise State             14.41m   47-03.50   2  
      FOUL  FOUL  14.33m  FOUL  FOUL  14.41m                                    
  8 Tiffany Gilmore           FR Fresno State            14.06m   46-01.50   1  
      12.96m  13.12m  14.06m  13.46m  FOUL  13.69m                              
  9 Kayla Hopkins             FR Fresno State            13.95m   45-09.25      
      13.91m  13.91m  13.95m  FOUL  13.54m                                      
10 Anna Dubois               SO Nevada                  13.93m   45-08.50      
      FOUL  FOUL  13.93m                                                        
11 Monet Jackson             SR Colorado St.            13.75m   45-01.50      
      12.62m  13.75m  13.05m                                                    
12 Ariel Oliver              SO San Diego St.           13.59m   44-07.00      
      12.85m  13.34m  13.59m                                                    
12 Danielle Tabb             SR Air Force               13.59m   44-07.00      
      13.59m  FOUL  FOUL                                                        
14 Katelyn Holland           JR Air Force               13.19m   43-03.25      
      13.10m  FOUL  13.19m                                                      
15 Melanie Heslop            SR Utah State              12.91m   42-04.25      
      12.91m  12.89m  FOUL                                                      
16 Shreese Daniels           SR Wyoming                 12.90m   42-04.00      
      FOUL  12.62m  12.90m                                                      
17 Vanessa Sierra            SO UNLV                    12.76m   41-10.50      
      12.63m  12.76m  FOUL                                                      
18 Aimee Larrabee            FR Colorado St.            12.63m   41-05.25      
      FOUL  10.43m  12.63m