Akot, Shaver Pace Big Bronco Road Win

Wednesday, January 12

Reno, Nev.

8:30 p.m. MT

Boise State

11-4,2-0Mountain West

Nevada

7-6,1-1Mountain West

Boise St.

Nevada

1/12/2022 11:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Boise State Postgame Notes

RENO, Nev. - Emmanuel Akot and Marcus Shaver, Jr. combined for 51 points as Boise State made its long-awaited return to the court Wednesday, claiming an 85-70 road win against Nevada. Shaver poured in 28 points - his most as a Bronco - and helped Boise State extend its win streak to eight.

Shaver and Akot each took 14 shots and both connected on 4-of-8 three-point attempts. As a team, Boise State (11-4, 2-0 MW) shot 50 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from beyond the arc.

Shaver scored 16 points in the second half, including Boise State's final seven to ensure the Broncos secured their first victory in Reno since 2016.

Akot finished with 23 points, one shy of his career high, and is now averaging 17.5 points per game in four career meetings with Nevada. He also chipped in five assists, two rebounds and two steals. He had 14 points at halftime, including a personal 8-0 run that pushed the Bronco lead to 15 at 32-17 with 2:29 to go in the half. The spurt was sparked by a driving one-handed dunk over the top of Nevada's 7-foot center Will Baker.

😵😵😵

EMMAN! pic.twitter.com/VP1qz1xILk
— Boise State MBB (@BroncoSportsMBB) January 13, 2022

The play gave the Broncos a lift and helped send them into the locker room with a 41-27 advantage. They limited the Wolf Pack to 29.6 percent shooting in the first 20 minutes.

Nevada (7-6, 1-1 MW) scored the first seven points of the second half to trim the margin to seven, but the Broncos responded with a 14-4 run to wrestle back control of the game.

Boise State extended its lead in the second half to as many as 21 points, taking a 70-49 advantage with 8:21 to play on a Naje Smith steal and layup.

Smith was the third Bronco in double figures, finishing with 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting. He added three rebounds, two steals and a block in 19 minutes of action.

Mladen Armus tallied seven points and a game-high 12 rebounds. The Broncos outrebounded the Wolf Pack 38-29. They have outrebounded their last 12 opponents and 13 out of 15 overall this season.

Boise State continues Mountain West play Saturday, at New Mexico. Tipoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. MT on FS1.