In the words of Jon Rothstein “GRAB YOUR NITROGLYCERIN PILLS” because the Cardiac Broncos are at it again, this time making it harder on themselves than it needed to be. Boise State had a 16 point lead at the halfway point of the second half, but needed free throws late to stave off a Fresno State team starving for a win in conference against a top-half team, something they are yet to pick up this year.

The Skinny:

The Broncos looked decent in the first half. 42 points, a 10 point lead and a 10 rebound gap meant that Boise State hit the showers at the midway point feeling pretty solid about themselves. Chibuzo Agbo and Max Rice both had 11 points in the first half, while no one on the team had more than four at the intermission. The Broncos shot the ball well, with both two and three point shot percentages sitting at 55.6% in the first half. Fresno’s numbers were low, and the Bulldogs were getting hammered on the glass. That all changed when the interval came, with the Bulldogs coming out a different team.

Fresno shot a staggering 58.3 % from the field, as well as were 40% from three in the second half. They kept with the Broncos on the glass, and didn’t get out-turnovered either. All of this led to a 16 point Bronco lead collapse, starting at the 9:59 mark of the second half and finishing at the 7:30 mark of the half; where the Bulldogs were unable to score for the remainder of the game. O’mar Stanley had 10 big points in the second half, including two three pointers that breathed life into the team, but Cam Martin stepped in to fill his shoes for the brief period he was out.

Down the stretch, the Broncos hit some free throws, and Max Rice got a massive offensive rebound that turned into a game-altering three pointer from Agbo. The Bulldogs gave the Broncos a gift at the end of the game as well. With just a few second remaining, the Broncos fouled Fresno State giving the Bulldogs the chance to tie the game up, but an over and back call meant that the Broncos would come away with the ball when they needed it most.

Next Up:

Another massive home game awaits the Broncos, this time with a slightly later tip than the game last Saturday. Boise State will host Utah State in a battle for the top of the conference. Both teams only have one loss in conference, and the Aggies will be ranked going into the game. A massive home test awaits, but for now, let’s revel in the fact that the Broncos escaped the trap game and are on to the next one!

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