DAYTON, Ohio – Boise State missed 21 layups, made just 2 of 18 shots from 3-point range and shot 34.3 percent overall on Wednesday night in their First Four matchup with Colorado at UD Arena.
Amazing the Broncos still almost won.
Boise State, and in particular three of its stars, picked the worst game for their roughest outing of the season in a 60-53 loss.
Max Rice and O’Mar Stanley each went 1 for 9 from the field and Tyson Degenhart was just 3 of 10 for the Broncos, who missed several point-blank shots and tip-ins right at the basket on a frustrating night that ended just like program’s previous nine trips to the Big Dance.
“A tough, tough, tough loss that we’ll have trouble with for the rest of our lives,” Boise State coach Leon Rice said. “That’s the way it is.”
Boise State led 49-45 with 4:31 to go but was unable to hang on for what would have been the first NCAA Tournament win in program history. Instead the Broncos dropped to 0-10 – the most appearances of any team in history without a win.
The Broncos were back in the Big Dance for the third straight season for the first time in program history. And unlike the previous two years the Broncos held a lead and were right there in position to win the game late.
“This one probably hurts the most knowing we competed and we won the boards and we just didn’t make shots and didn’t make enough plays,” Degenhart told Bronco Nation News. “It kills me to have probably one of my worst showings in such a big game. There’s part of me that feels like I let me team down with my play. But 67 teams end their season the same way we did. There’s only one champion. I was just happy to be part of this team and this tournament.”
Chibuzo Agbo led the Broncos with 17 points, while point guard Roddie Anderson had 14. Cam Martin, playing in the final game of his seven-year college career, had 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench as the Broncos dealt with foul trouble.
Degenhart sat a good chunk of the first half with two fouls, while Rice sat a good portion of the second half with four fouls.
The Broncos played pretty well defensively and out-rebounded the Buffaloes 41-31. They just couldn’t make enough shots – especially close ones right near the basket.
“We’ll never forget this one,” Leon Rice said.
Boise State could return four starters next season and should have an even more talented roster than this year’s group. But nobody wanted to hear or talk about that on Wednesday.
“It’s going to take some time to let this one sink in,” Degenhart said. “This was a really special group and we wish we could have got it done.”
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