GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman – After the first free throw touched nothing but net on its way through the hoop, Boise State coach Leon Rice knew what he had to do.
With 1.1 seconds left on the clock and Boise State clinging to a 83-82 lead, Rice signaled for a time out before South Dakota State freshman Owen Larson attempted his second free throw.
“I watch a lot of football,” Rice said. “We iced the kicker.”
Larson’s second shot eventually rimmed off and Boise State escapes with a thrilling 1-point win to advance to Tuesday night’s championship game of the Cayman Islands Classic.
Boise State took the lead 83-81 on a bucket from Javan Buchanan with about a minute left before Larson was fouled driving to the hoop during a chaotic final sequence.
“He’s a freshman and he played a good game but I think the time out was a great call because he kind of iced him after he made the first one,” Boise State point guard Alvaro Cardenas said. “The moment was a little bit too big for him, but he’s a good player and he’ll definitely make some big shots for them throughout the season.”
Buchanan had his best game for the Broncos since transferring up from the NAIA level last season, finishing with a game-high 28 points. He had 18 points in the second half and took over down the stretch when the Broncos badly needed it.
He scored from all three levels, connecting on 4 of 8 from 3-point range and 11 of 17 shots overall.
Buchanan, who picked the Broncos over Texas Tech, has yet to start a game. That might soon change.
“It’s just a blessing to be here and be in the Cayman Islands playing basketball,” Buchanan said. “Last year I wouldn’t have thought I’d be in this position. It’s just been awesome.
“I’m just glad we ended up getting the win. Those kids are good, so I’m glad we got the win.”
Boise State, which went a season-best 12 of 29 from the 3-point line and 13 of 14 from the free throw line, got 16 points from Cardenas and 13 from freshman Julian Bowie.
Tyson Degenhart added 11 points for the Broncos, who actually got more points from the bench (44) than the starters (39).
The back and forth affair featured 17 lead changes and 13 ties. Thankfully for the Broncos, there wasn’t a 14th tie due to the final missed free throw.
“That was a heck of a college basketball game with two teams that were playing at a pretty darn high level,” Rice said. “(To win it) is a great feeling.”
Boise State, which has never won a preseason tournament under Rice, advances to play the winner of Monday night’s other semifinal game between Boston College and Missouri State.
The Broncos are headed back to Boise on Wednesday. They’d love to bring a trophy with them.
“Amazing,” Buchanan said. “Let’s go win it.”
BNN was live on YouTube, Facebook and X after the game with a 50-minute postgame show with interviews, highlights and more. Watch the show here:
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