Tuesday, November 9
Boise, Idaho
7 p.m. MT
Boise State
1-0,0-0Mountain West
76
vs
56
Utah Valley
0-1,0-0WAC
1
2
F
Utah Valley
27
29
56
Boise St.
38
38
76
Five Broncos Score in Double Figures in Season-Opening Win
11/9/2021 11:34:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BOISE, Idaho - Devonaire Doutrive scored 18 points to lead Boise State to a season-opening 76-56 against Utah Valley Tuesday, at ExtraMile Arena. The Broncos shot 52 percent for the game, including 66.7 percent from two-point range.
Utah Valley (0-1) jumped out to an early lead before the Boise State duo of Pavle Kuzmanovic and Naje Smith came off the bench to ignite the Broncos (1-0) midway through the first half. They combined for nine points on a 12-0 run which saw Boise State take its first lead and never look back. The highlight was a behind-the-back pass from Kuzmanovic to Smith in transition for a two-handed dunk.
"That was the spark that got us going," Doutrive said. "Everyone started playing with pace and then we were good."
The Broncos extended the run and led by as many as 13 in the first half before taking a 38-27 advantage into the locker room.
Doutrive netted 12 of his 18 points in the opening half. He scored six of the Broncos' first 13 points to keep the score close as Boise State found its footing defensively.
Utah Valley made its first five shots and started 9-of-14 from the floor. The Broncos held the Wolverines to 38.8 percent shooting the rest of the way
The visitors climbed within nine early in the second half but the Broncos answered with a 15-2 spurt and secured their largest lead of the night at 22 (56-34). Mladen Armus and Emmanuel Akot combined for 13 points during the run. Armus scored seven points, including a driving dunk in traffic. Armus and Akot each finished with 11 points.
Kuzmanovic scored the other basket during the run. He finished with career highs of nine points and two assists in 20 minutes.
Utah Valley closed the gap to 11 with 3:42 to play, but Smith closed the game out with eight points in the final three minutes . He finished the game with 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting.
"He takes great shots, he moves the ball, he knows his role," head coach Leon Rice said of Smith. "Fifteen points off six shots, you couldn't be more efficient. He's also a great team guy and loves to get assists."
Abu Kigab chipped in 12 points and team highs of seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.
The return of Boise State basketball also brought the return of fans to ExtraMile Arena. The announced attendance of 7,457 tickets distributed included 1,211 students in the building. The crowd made its presence known.
"I was so happy to see the crowd and hear the emotion when we made a good play," Rice said. "It lifted our guys. It makes a difference to have the energy back in the building."
Boise State returns to action Saturday, at UC Irvine for its first road game of the season. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. PT/7 p.m. MT and can be seen on ESPN+.
Utah Valley (0-1) jumped out to an early lead before the Boise State duo of Pavle Kuzmanovic and Naje Smith came off the bench to ignite the Broncos (1-0) midway through the first half. They combined for nine points on a 12-0 run which saw Boise State take its first lead and never look back. The highlight was a behind-the-back pass from Kuzmanovic to Smith in transition for a two-handed dunk.
"That was the spark that got us going," Doutrive said. "Everyone started playing with pace and then we were good."
The Broncos extended the run and led by as many as 13 in the first half before taking a 38-27 advantage into the locker room.
Doutrive netted 12 of his 18 points in the opening half. He scored six of the Broncos' first 13 points to keep the score close as Boise State found its footing defensively.
Utah Valley made its first five shots and started 9-of-14 from the floor. The Broncos held the Wolverines to 38.8 percent shooting the rest of the way
The visitors climbed within nine early in the second half but the Broncos answered with a 15-2 spurt and secured their largest lead of the night at 22 (56-34). Mladen Armus and Emmanuel Akot combined for 13 points during the run. Armus scored seven points, including a driving dunk in traffic. Armus and Akot each finished with 11 points.
Kuzmanovic scored the other basket during the run. He finished with career highs of nine points and two assists in 20 minutes.
Utah Valley closed the gap to 11 with 3:42 to play, but Smith closed the game out with eight points in the final three minutes . He finished the game with 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting.
"He takes great shots, he moves the ball, he knows his role," head coach Leon Rice said of Smith. "Fifteen points off six shots, you couldn't be more efficient. He's also a great team guy and loves to get assists."
Abu Kigab chipped in 12 points and team highs of seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.
The return of Boise State basketball also brought the return of fans to ExtraMile Arena. The announced attendance of 7,457 tickets distributed included 1,211 students in the building. The crowd made its presence known.
"I was so happy to see the crowd and hear the emotion when we made a good play," Rice said. "It lifted our guys. It makes a difference to have the energy back in the building."
Boise State returns to action Saturday, at UC Irvine for its first road game of the season. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. PT/7 p.m. MT and can be seen on ESPN+.
Team Stats
UVU
Boise
FG%
.460
.516
3FG%
.273
.200
FT%
.636
.615
RB
28
31
TO
18
9
STL
4
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
18
FGM
8
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
Guard
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