UC Irvine Jumps Out to Big Lead, Holds On

Friday, November 15

Boise, Idaho

7:00 P.M. MT

Boise State

1-2,0-0Mountain West

UC Irvine

3-1,0-0Big West

UC Irvine

Boise St.

11/15/2019 10:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Boise State Postgame Notes Boise State Postgame Quotes

BOISE, Idaho - Boise State men's basketball staged a late rally, but could not overcome a cold-shooting first half in a 69-60 loss Friday, against UC Irvine at ExtraMile Arena. The Broncos (1-2) shot 30.9 percent (17-of-55) for the game, including 23.3 percent (7-of-30) in the first half.

UC Irvine (3-1) took a 38-24 lead into the halftime break and scored the first six points of the second half to claim its biggest lead of the night at 44-24. The Broncos responded immediately with a 17-5 run, capped by Derrick Alston Jr.'s three-pointer to cut the margin to eight at 49-41.

Boise State would not draw closer. The Broncos finished the game on a 10-2 run, trimming the deficit to single digits with less than two minutes left, but could not finish the comeback.

Alston led the Broncos with a game-high 22 points, including 12-for-12 shooting at the free throw line. He is the fifth Bronco all-time to post a perfect night from the free throw line with at least 12 attempts.

RJ Williams finished the night with 20 points and 11 rebounds, Williams' second double-double of the season and the first 20-point, 10-rebound outing of his Boise State career.

The Broncos will be back at home Wednesday (Nov. 20) against BYU. The game will tip off at 8 p.m., as the second part of a doubleheader. The Boise State women take on Washington State at 5 p.m.