Alston, Broncos Close Tournament Strong

Wednesday, December 25

Honolulu, Hawaii

1:30 p.m. MT

Boise State

8-5,1-1Mountain West

UTEP

-94,00 CUSA

Boise St.

UTEP

12/25/2019 5:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Boise State Postgame Notes

HONOLULU - Derrick Alston Jr turned in a dominant second half to lead Boise State to a hard-fought 72-67 win against UTEP Wednesday, in the fifth-place game of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. Alston scored 16 of his 23 points after halftime, including crucial buckets down the stretch as the Broncos (8-5) fought off run after run from the Miners (9-4).

Boise State led 67-65 with 25 seconds left in the second half and faced a baseline inbound opportunity with just two seconds remaining on the shot clock. Alston squeezed inside his defender and created a passing lane just outside the key. He caught the inbound pass and lofted a quick floater at the rim, which found the bottom of the net just as the shot clock horn sounded.

Marcus Dickinson stole a pass on the Miners' ensuing possession and hit two free throws to put Boise State comfortably ahead for the final 15 seconds.

It was the only time the lead was comfortable all game, despite Boise State holding the advantage for 31 minutes and 28 seconds.

The first half was full of runs, with each team seizing the momentum on both ends of the floor. Boise State scored the first six points of the game, but a 10-0 run for UTEP gave the Miners a five-point lead. That was answered by a 9-0 spurt from Boise State, which was extended to a 16-2 run and put the Broncos ahead 29-20. But UTEP scored the final seven points of the first half and trimmed Boise State's lead to two at halftime.

The teams traded baskets early in the second half, before a 7-0 UTEP run found the Broncos trailing 37-34. Boise State scored the next eight points and did not trail again, despite UTEP cutting the deficit to one possession nine more times before Alston's late basket.

Alston finished with 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Five of his assists came after halftime as he directed Boise State's offense to 43 second-half points.

Abu Kigab recorded the first double-double of his collegiate career with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Kigab, Alston and RJ Williams combined for 28 boards and Boise State outrebounded UTEP 41-30. The Broncos posted a plus-24 rebound margin over the final two games of the Diamond Head Classic after being outrebounded by 16 in the opener.

Robin Jorch scored a season-high 10 points, while helping limit UTEP's Bryson Williams to six points and one rebound. Williams entered the game averaging 20.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

Boise State returns home for its nonconference finale Saturday, against CSUN. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. MT at ExtraMile Arena. Alston and members of Boise State's BroncoLife program are holding a coat drive at the game. Coat collection will begin when the doors open at 3 p.m. in ExtraMile Arena Lobby 2. All fans who donate a new or gently-used coat will receive a discounted $7 ticket to attend the game.