It may not have been the most thrilling or competitive win the Boise State men’s basketball team has had at home the past 13 months, but it proved to be historic.
Boise State topped Cal St. Fullerton 88-65 on Sunday afternoon for the Broncos’ program-record 20th consecutive win inside ExtraMile Arena.
Max Rice had 24 points and Chibuzo Agbo had 19 for the Broncos, who haven’t lost at home since falling 68-66 to South Dakota State in last year’s season opener on Nov. 9, 2022.
Boise State surpassed the previous record of 19 straight home wins set on Jan. 17th, 1999 – ironically also against Cal St. Fullerton.
“That’s quite a streak and quite an accomplishment” Boise State coach Leon Rice said. “I give credit for our home court to the fans that come to our games.”
The 20 consecutive home wins ties Oral Roberts for the second-longest home winning streak in the country. Only UCLA (28) has won more home games in a row than the Broncos.
Boise State’s last home loss came 404 days ago. The streak included a perfect 8-0 home mark in Mountain West play last season, including wins over Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State and Nevada.
“I think that’s a big shoutout to our fans,” said Max Rice, who made 5 of 8 shots from 3-point range in his third straight strong game following an early season slump. “They’ve been great for us. I think we just feel really comfortable here and we seem to play pretty well here.”
Boise State’s home dominance goes back further than the past year. The Broncos are 482-150 all-time at ExtraMile Arena (.763 winning percentage). Since Leon Rice took over in 2011 the Broncos are 167-35 (.827) when playing at home.
The Broncos are 6-0 at home this season. In the previous four seasons the Broncos have posted home marks of 14-1, 13-3, 11-1 and 13-2.
“When I took this job that was a priority,” Leon Rice said. “You can’t have a good program if you don’t have a good home court and it’s just getting better and better.
“Shout out to our fans. We don’t get these things done without great atmospheres. Nothing is worse than going out and seeing an empty arena. When you see the fans show up and there’s energy, it helps you.”
Tyson Degenhart had 15 points and nine rebounds, while Omar Stanley had 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead Boise State on Sunday.
The Broncos burst out to a 17-5 lead and led by double digits throughout. Boise State led by 29 points at the half before easing off the throttle a bit in the second half.
Boise State heads to Spokane for a big game against Washington State on Thursday. The Broncos then return home to face a good Utah Valley team on Dec. 29th before opening Mountain West play.
Saturday’s attendance was announced at 9,178. Through six home games the Broncos are averaging 9,415 fans – an unusually high number before conference play starts.
“We’re going to need them,” Leon Rice said. “This league is a monster. We have one more non-league game right after Christmas against a really good team so we need a great crowd for that but then we need them throughout the league because it’s going to be a crusade to get a win every night.”
