The Boise State Broncos halted a four‑game Mountain West losing streak on Jan. 16, defeating the Colorado State Rams 79‑73 in Fort Collins. The victory, the Broncos’ first conference win of the season (10‑8 overall, 2‑5 MW), came thanks to senior guard Jordan “J.J.” McPherson’s 22 points and a strong bench effort that outscored the Rams’ reserves 28‑14.
Game Flow: Lead Changes and Decisive Moments
Opening Surge
Boise State struck first when senior guard Jordan “J.J.” McPherson nailed a three‑pointer and followed with a driving layup, giving the Broncos a 12‑8 lead. The Rams answered with sophomore forward Ethan Collins tying the game at 15‑15, but a defensive lapse allowed Boise to pull ahead 22‑17.
Rams’ Response
Colorado State leaned on senior point guard Liam Moreno, who kept the Rams within striking distance with 18 points, six assists, and a crucial late‑game steal that set up a final three‑point attempt, which missed as the clock expired.
Key Statistics
- Turnover Battle: Boise forced 14 turnovers while committing nine.
- Rebounding Edge: Broncos captured 38 rebounds to the Rams’ 32; forward Tyler “Tank” Hamilton grabbed 11 (three offensive).
- Shooting Percentages: Boise shot 48% from the field (31‑64) and 38% from three (9‑24); Colorado State hit 40% from three (12‑30) but only 41% on two‑point attempts.
- Free Throws: Broncos were perfect from the line (12‑12) while the Rams made 14 of 19.
Player Highlights
Jordan “J.J.” McPherson led all scorers with 22 points, including four three‑pointers. Tyler “Tank” Hamilton added 16 points and eight rebounds, dominating the paint. Bench contributions were decisive, as Boise’s reserves outscored Colorado State’s bench 28‑14, a factor praised by Coach Mike Leach.
Mountain West Implications
The win moves the Broncos to a tentative foothold in the lower half of the conference, providing momentum for the final five MW games. Sustaining defensive intensity and limiting turnovers will be essential to climb the standings. For the Rams, the loss drops them to a .500 conference record, tightening the race for the top‑four seeds that guarantee a tournament quarterfinal berth. Upcoming matchups against Arizona State and San Diego State will test their new roster’s resilience.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Matchups
Boise State’s next challenge is a home‑and‑home series with the University of Nevada, a contest that could further solidify their resurgence. Colorado State aims to rebound quickly, focusing on refining rotations and leveraging the depth highlighted by Coach Niko “Nikki” Kaczor as the season approaches its climax.
