Strong Second Half Keys Bronco Romp

Tuesday, February 11

Boise, Idaho

7:00 p.m. MT

Boise State

17-9,9-5Mountain West

Air Force

9-16,3-10Mountain West

Air Force

Boise St.

Photo by: Boise State University

2/11/2020 10:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Boise State Postgame Notes

BOISE, Idaho - Boise State men's basketball used a 27-8 run over an eight-minute stretch in the second half to roll past Air Force, 74-57, Tuesday. The trio of Derrick Alston, Jr., Justinian Jessup and RJ Williams combined for 49 points to pace the Broncos, including the team's final 25 points of the game.

"You saw the ball move in the second half and that's why we made shots," said head coach Leon Rice. "It's pretty simple. And when we get shots for each other, move the ball like that we're hard to guard."

The Broncos (17-9, 9-5 Mountain West) have won six of their last seven games and 11 consecutive home games to vault into a tie for second in the conference standings. The win avenged a road loss earlier in the year to the Falcons (9-16, 3-10 MW). Boise State's current six-out-of-seven streak began after the game at Air Force.

Boise State led the entire game, but Air Force cut the margin to five at 47-42 with 9:28 to play. The Broncos responded with 10 straight points in less than three minutes, capped by a four-point play from Jessup. The senior scored nine more points to help close out the game-sealing run.

Jessup's game-high 18 points allowed him to reach a pair of milestones. He now has 1,478 points in his career, matching former teammate Chandler Hutchison for ninth on the program's all-time scoring list. Jessup also eclipsed the 400-point plateau on the season. He and Alston are the fifth pair of teammates to score at least 400 points in consecutive seasons in program history.

Justinian Jessup now has 400 points on the season. Jessup and Alston have both eclipsed 400 points for the second year in a row. They are the fifth pair of teammates to score 400+ points in consecutive seasons in Boise State history. #BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/nRmbeVnNw7
— Boise State MBB (@BroncoSportsMBB) February 12, 2020

Alston scored all 15 of his points in the second half, on 6-of-11 shooting in the period. He was held without a basket in the first half but bounced back after halftime, snapping a two-game skid that saw him score in single digits in consecutive outings for the first time since December 2018.

Williams finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season. He scored 12 points in the first half, including three three-point plays, to help stake the Broncos to a 30-23 halftime lead.

Tell 'em, Rod! 🔨#BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/BEGMk8oZU3
— Boise State MBB (@BroncoSportsMBB) February 12, 2020

Boise State is back in action Sunday, hosting No. 4 San Diego State at 2 p.m. The Aztecs will be the second-highest ranked opponent to play at Boise State in program history. Tickets can be purchased by visiting BroncoSports.com/tickets, calling 208-426-4737 or stopping by the Boise State Athletic Ticket Office on the west side of Albertsons Stadium.