In a thrilling display of offensive prowess, the Boise State Broncos reached the century mark for just the second time in a postseason game. They defeated the Butler Bulldogs 100-93 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. This victory propels the Broncos into the semifinal round of the College Basketball Crown.
The game was a testament to Boise Stateโs scoring depth and efficiency. Several players delivered standout performances.
Boise Stateโs Offensive Explosion
The Broncosโ offensive firepower was on full display as they reached 100 points for the second time this season. Boise Stateโs scoring was led by Javan Buchanan, who poured in a team-high 27 points on an impressive 11-of-13 shooting.
Buchananโs performance was notable as he became the fourth Mountain West player this season to score 25 points or more while shooting at least 80 percent from the field (minimum 10 attempts).
Key Performances
Several Broncos contributed significantly to the teamโs offensive success:
- Tyson Degenhart eclipsed 2,000 career points and added 21 points against Butler. This marked the 14th time this season he has scored 20 or more points in a game.
- Alvaro Cardenas shot 6-for-10 from the floor, tallying 19 points and five assists, tying his season high in points.
- Andrew Meadow contributed 14 points in 28 minutes of game action.
Butlerโs Response and Defensive Struggles
Despite a valiant effort from Butler, led by Finley Bizjackโs game-high 30 points, the Bulldogs were unable to contain Boise Stateโs efficient offense. Bizjack, who knocked down six three-pointers and added seven assists, was a bright spot for Butler. Evan Haywood and Boden Kapke each added 14 points, while Patrick McCaffery chipped in with 13 points.
First Half Highlights
The game started with both teams displaying hot shooting, combining for 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting in the opening five minutes. Boise State made each of its first four field goal attempts, with Degenhart scoring eight of the Broncosโ first 17 points.
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With the score tied at 23, Boise State went on a 10-0 run, forcing a timeout by Butler with 8:54 remaining in the half.
Boise State maintained the lead for the rest of the half, with Buchanan, Cardenas, and Degenhart each scoring in double figures. The Broncosโ 48 points in the first half were their highest first-half output since scoring 50 against Wyoming on January 14.
Despite Butlerโs eight three-pointers, Boise State shot 58 percent from the field and led 48-38 at halftime.
Second Half Surge
Butler began the second half strong, scoring 13 of the first 19 points to cut their deficit to five. However, Boise State responded with back-to-back baskets by Buchanan, including a three-pointer, to extend the lead back to eight.
The Broncos then used a 12-4 run to regain a double-digit advantage, turning a 56-51 game into a 16-point lead over an eight-minute span.
Boise State led for over 37 minutes of the game, with their largest lead being 16 points. The Broncos scored 52 points in the second half, marking their second 50-point half in the first two rounds of the Crown tournament.
The team shot an impressive 60.3 percent from the field, the third time this season they have shot 60 percent or higher in a game.
Looking Ahead
With two days off before their next game, Boise State will take the floor again on Saturday morning for the semifinal round, with tip-off set for 11:30 a.m. MT. The Broncosโ performance against Butler evens the all-time series between the two teams, with each team claiming one victory.
Historical Context and Notable Achievements
The Broncosโ 100-point performance against Butler is only the second time the team has reached the century mark in a conference or postseason game. The last time Boise State scored 100 points in such a game was against New Mexico State in the 2008 Western Athletic Conference Final.
Shooting 60.3 percent against Butler, the Broncos have now shot 60 percent or better in three games this year, a feat they have accomplished 17 times in program history.
Individual Milestones
Several players achieved significant milestones and season highs during the game:
- Tyson Degenhart notched his 14th 20-point game of the season and surpassed 2,000 career points.
- Alvaro Cardenas tied his season high with 19 points against Butler.
- Javan Buchanan recorded his third 20-point game of the season, scoring a team-high 27 points and tying his career high with three steals.
Conclusion
Boise Stateโs victory over Butler in the College Basketball Crown quarterfinals was a showcase of their offensive depth and efficiency.
With standout performances from Buchanan, Degenhart, and Cardenas, the Broncos demonstrated their ability to score at a high level.
As they advance to the semifinals, Boise State will look to continue their impressive play and secure a spot in the championship game.
For more details on the game and upcoming matchups, visit the official game recap.
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