BOISE, Idaho – South Dakota State made a layup with 1.3 seconds remaining on the clock to knock off Boise State 68-66 at ExtraMile Arena, Wednesday night in the season opener.
The Jackrabbits (1-1) used a pair of runs to jump in front of the Broncos (0-1) in the first half. After opening the game on an 8-0 run South Dakota State used an 11-0 stretch that helped build its lead to as much as 12 in the first half. Five-straight points from Max Rice helped Boise State outscore the Jackrabbits 10-3 in the final four minutes to enter the break down five.
South Dakota State opened the second half with another scoring run, this time a 14-6 stint over the first 3:36 to take its largest lead of the night at 13. Boise State responded with a furious rally, outscoring the opponent 16-5 capped by a Marcus Shaver, Jr., fastbreak-layup that gave the Broncos their first lead of the game 59-57 with 8:43 left.
After trading baskets down the stretch the Jackrabbits gained control of the ball with 23 seconds left on the clock and a score deadlocked at 66. The visitors dribbled down the clock and found Dentlinger around the basket who made the eventual game-winner. On the ensuing end, Rice was able to get a shot off before the buzzer, but the deep three-point attempt was no good.
Top Broncos
- Max Rice finished with a game-high 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting including 4-of-8 from downtown. Rice also had a career-high five steals.
- Marcus Shaver, Jr., led the Broncos in rebounds (6) and assists (5) while chipping in 17 points.
- Naje Smith came off the bench to log 12 points, five boards and two steals.
Quotables
- “This was a November 9th game that was played at a high level against a great team that knows how to play,” said head coach Leon Rice. “This time of year we make a lot of mistakes and they [South Dakota State] are the kind of team that exposes those mistakes even if those mistakes are small ones. But there were a lot of good things out there that I was really pleased with.”
- “I feel like I’m coming off the best offseason I’ve had,” said Max Rice. “I’ve been doing it in practice so I know I can do it in games. My teammates find me and they know that I can make those shots so I’m becoming a lot more aggressive this year.”
Notables
- Boise State scored 40 points in the paint to the Jackrabbits’ 26.
- The Broncos forced 19 turnovers for the first time since matching that total last season against Santa Clara.
- Boise State improved its field goal percentage from 34.6% in the first half to 57.1% in the second half.
- Max Rice scored in double figures for the 13th time in his career, and only his second career game scoring 20+ points.
- Marcus Shaver Jr. led Boise State in rebounds for the seventh time in his career.
Up Next
Boise State plays Washington State to the Idaho Central Arena in downtown Boise for the ICCU Capital City Classic, Saturday (Nov. 12) at 5 p.m. MT. Tickets for the game are available through Idaho Central Arena with broadcast coverage provided by the Mountain West Network.
