Boise State Defeats New Mexico in Conference Home Opener

Tuesday, December 30

Boise, Idaho

9 PM

Boise State

9-4,1-1Mountain West

New Mexico

10-3,1-1Mountain West

New Mexico

Boise St.

Photo by: Kenna Harbison

Boise State Defeats New Mexico in Conference Home Opener

12/31/2025 12:35:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

BOISE, Idaho — Behind a strong defensive effort, Boise State defeated New Mexico, 62-53, on Tuesday night at ExtraMile Arena in the conference home opener.

The Broncos (9-4) had four players who scored in double figures. The team was led by Spencer Ahrens who scored 12 points and added a career-high eight rebounds.

Pearson Carmichael and Drew Fielder each tallied 11 points and five rebounds for Boise State. Aginaldo Neto scored in double figures off the bench and totaled 10 points.

New Mexico (10-3) was led by Tomislav Buljan, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds. Deyton Albury had 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals in just under 25 minutes of game action.

Tuesday's game began with the Lobos making four of their first six field goal attempts. Conversely, Boise State missed its initial six shot attempts and trailed, 8-0, upon reaching the first media timeout.

The Broncos got on the board at the 15:05 mark with a pair of free throws by Aginaldo Neto. After missing 11-consecutive shots at the outset, Boise State made its first field goal nine minutes into the contest.

Weathering an early eight-point deficit, the Broncos rattled off 11 of the next 14 points to even the score. With 6:14 remaining in the half, Neto scored on an old-fashioned three-point play, giving Boise State its first lead of the night.

Despite shooting 25 percent overall and 2-for-17 from three in the opening 20 minutes, the Broncos managed to forge ahead by six with just over four minutes on the clock. Boise State limited New Mexico to just eight field goals while holding the Lobos scoreless behind the arc.

Buljan paced all players with nine points in the frame, but was hampered by foul trouble. Led by Neto's five points, seven Broncos scored in the period, aiding Boise State to a 21-19 lead at the intermission.

To start the second half, New Mexico scored 11 unanswered points. The Lobos run gave the team a nine-point advantage and forced a prompt timeout by Boise State.

Following the stoppage, New Mexico extended its lead to double figures. Jake Hall scored on a two-point basket in the paint, pushing the Lobos' lead to 11.

Facing its largest deficit of the game, Ahrens helped Boise State's offense come to life. He scored seven-straight points for the Broncos and pulled the team to within six.

After Ahrens' long ball, Boise State used an 11-4 run to recapture the lead. Andrew Meadow connected on a tough, contested layup in the paint, putting the Broncos ahead 39-38.

Boise State briefly trailed by one with 9:50 on the clock, but quickly propelled back in front. For the final nine-plus minutes, the Broncos held the lead and eventually were up double figures.

In total, New Mexico shot 30 percent from the field and made just three long balls. Boise State's bench outscored the Lobos, 37-7, and the Broncos outrebounded New Mexico, 48-38.

Top Broncos:

Spencer Ahrens scored a team-high 12 points and grabbed a career-best eight rebounds.
Pearson Carmichael and Drew Fielder each had 11 points and five rebounds.
Aginaldo Neto registered 10 points off the bench.

Notables:

Boise State evened the all-time series with the Lobos at 15 games apiece. Dating back to last season, the Broncos have won three-straight games against New Mexico.
Leon Rice collected his 169th regular season win against a conference foe. He is the Mountain West's all-time leader in regular season victories against conference opponents, surpassing Steve Fisher (168).
Boise State held New Mexico to three long balls, signifying the fewest the team has surrendered in a single game Feb. 7, 2025 against San Jose State (2).
The last time Boise State held an opponent to under 15 percent from three was against the Spartans last season (.111, 6-for-19).
The Broncos held New Mexico to 53 points, notching the third game in which Boise State has limited the opposition to 60 points or fewer this season.
Boise State outscored New Mexico's bench, 37-7, and the Broncos outrebounded the opposition 48-38. The team has grabbed 40+ rebounds in five games this season.
The Broncos registered a season-high seven blocks, with RJ Keene II tying his career high with two.

What's Next:
Boise State hits the road and will face San Diego State on Saturday night. Tip off is set for 8 p.m. MT, and the game will be aired on CBS Sports Network.