Balanced Boise State downs Wyoming 94-71
BOISE, Idaho (AP) James Webb III posted his ninth double-double of the season and four of his Boise State teammates also scored in double figures as the Broncos snapped a two-game losing streak by downing Wyoming 94-71 on Saturday.
Webb finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds for Boise State (17-9, 8-5 Mountain West), which rebounded from a controversial loss Wednesday at Colorado State. In that game, Webb made a 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime that would have won the game, but the shot was overturned by officials after they went to a hand timer. Conference officials later determined the shot should have counted, but the outcome of the game was not changed.
"In my how many ... years of coaching, and all the games I've ever been in, including NCAA Tournament games, I've never wanted to win worse than today," Boise State coach Leon Rice said. "I'm pretty happy we got it done."
Lonnie Jackson and Mike Thompson finished with 16 points apiece, while Nick Duncan had 13 and Anthony Drmic 11 for the Broncos, who shot 55.2 percent from the field and swept the season series.
"Sometimes events galvanize a team," Rice said. "We've got a good-looking team right now. Guys don't have to play 38 minutes because everyone is bringing something to the table. When we get that, we're a good team."
All 10 Boise State players scored, and the 94 points was the most allowed by Wyoming this season. Houston also scored 94 in a double-overtime game.
"Boise State, with 57 points in the second, that's as good as it gets," Wyoming coach Larry Shyatt said. "They had us on roller skates defensively."
Wyoming, which never led in the game, trailed 37-29 at halftime. The Cowboys (12-14, 5-8) made eight of their first 10 shots in the second half and twice pulled within three points, the latest with 11:40 to play. With just under 11 minutes left, the Cowboys trailed 63-57.
"That was the critical point," Shyatt said. "We were only down six and couldn't get the stops defensively."
Josh Adams led Wyoming with 16 points, while Alexander Aka Gorski had 14, Jason McManamen had 13 and Hayden Dalton added 10.
TIP INS
Wyoming players' jerseys featured the name "Sailors" on the back in honor of former Cowboy Kenny Sailors, who died Jan. 30. Sailors is best known for popularizing the jump shot.
Wyoming's Dalton injured his ankle toward the end of the first half and did not return. HIs availability for Wednesday's game against Fresno State is questionable.
Both teams entered Saturday's game coming off school-record performances from 3-point range. Wyoming made 20 3-pointers in a win over Utah State, while Boise State drained 18 in a double-overtime loss at Colorado State.
Boise State's Jackson continued his mastery of Wyoming. He went 4 of 5 from 3-point range and had four assists Saturday. In the Jan. 23 meeting in Laramie, Wyoming, Jackson made 7 of 12 3-pointers and finished with 21 points.
UP NEXT
Boise State visits New Mexico on Wednesday.
San Diego State hosts Fresno State on Wednesday.
