Broncos Defeat Bulldogs for Second-Consecutive Win

Saturday, February 1

Boise, Idaho

2 PM

Boise State

15-7,7-4Mountain West

Fresno State

5-17,1-10Mountain West

Fresno St.

Boise St.

2/1/2025 5:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

BOISE, Idaho — Led by Andrew Meadow, who recorded his second 20-point performance of the season, Boise State defeated Fresno State, 82-60, on Saturday afternoon inside ExtraMile Arena.

The Broncos (15-7, 7-4 MW) have won six-straight games against Fresno State (5-17, 1-10 MW) dating back to Dec. 28, 2021. Boise State is 10-1 at ExtraMile Arena this year and the team has won double-digit home games in each of the last six seasons.

Meadow, who shot 7-of-13 from the field, posted a game-high 20 points. He added three rebounds in 29 minutes of game action.

Team captains Alvaro Cardenas and Tyson Degenhart each scored 13 points for the Broncos. Cardenas added seven assists while Degenhart grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.

O'Mar Stanley totaled 10 points, six rebounds and three assists off the bench for the Blue and Orange. Scoring in double figures for the fourth-consecutive game, Javan Buchanan had 10 points in a reserve role.

To start Saturday's game, Buchanan and Meadow had the hot hand for the Broncos. The duo made five of their first six shots and combined for 13 of the team's first 17 points.

Shooting 50 percent in the opening 11 minutes, Boise State collected its first double-digit lead of the afternoon on a transition layup by Pearson Carmichael. The Broncos made 10 of their opening 20 shot attempts and led, 26-12, upon reaching the 12-minute media timeout.

For the second consecutive game, Boise State amped up the defensive intensity and limited Fresno State to 5-of-20 shooting at the outset. Across the first halves of the last two games (40 minutes), the Broncos held the opposition to 50 total points on 18 made field goals.

Knocking down 52 percent (17-of-33 FGs) of its shots, Boise State led by as many 19 in the period. Aided by a 15-0 run spanning from the 12:32 to the 8:03 mark, the Broncos led, 44-26, at the intermission.

Tallying the first points of the second half, Boise State opened up a 20-point advantage. Emmanuel Ugbo collected his lone bucket of the game, giving the Broncos a 46-26 lead.

In response to trailing by 20, Fresno State used an extended 13-6 run to pull within 13. The Bulldogs cut their deficit to a baker's dozen on a couple occasions but were unable to inch closer.

Fresno State's push didn't last long as Boise State scored 12 of the next 18 points to forge ahead by 21. Cardenas buried his third three of the game to make the score 66-45.

The Broncos largest lead of the afternoon was 27 which came with 3:48 remaining. Cardenas posted his seventh and final assist of the game and hit Julian Bowie with a behind-the-back pass which resulted in the team's 11th three.

In total, the Broncos led for nearly 36 minutes. Boise State has played with a lead for over 73 minutes (73:47) in the last two games.

Posting back-to-back double-digit wins, the Broncos will enjoy a day off before traveling to Las Vegas on Monday. The team will play UNLV on Tuesday with tip off scheduled for 9 p.m. MT on CBS Network.

NOTABLE:

Following Saturday's game, the Broncos have won six consecutive games against Fresno State and are 30-22 all time versus the Bulldogs.

In 104 February games Under Leon Rice (since 2010-11), Boise State is 20 games over .500 (62-42).

Spanning the last two games, the Broncos have led for over 73 minutes (73:47).

Boise State has won 11 games by double figures, including seven by 20 points or more.

As a unit, the Broncos knocked down 11 three-pointers, signifying the fourth time the team poured in 10+ long balls in a single game this season.

Alvaro Cardenas tallied seven assists upping his career total to 521. He surpassed Jimmer Fredette (515) for sixth most in Mountain West history.

Cardenas' seven assists marked the 20th time he's collected five or more in a single game this season. He needs 17 helpers to surpass La'Shard Anderson (165) for the most in a single campaign in program history.

Tyson Degenhart scored 13 points, giving him 1,751 points and 94 career games scoring in double figures.

QUOTABLE (HEAD COACH LEON RICE):

"Great approach by our guys. We had an energetic practice (on Friday). On Feb. 1, that looked like a team that was excited to play. They were fresh and ready to go."

"I've seen an improvement in our defense—it feels that way. It feels like we are a little harder to score on, and we are covering each other's backs a little better. It takes energy to be a good defensive team—consistent energy. I think I have seen progress."

"It's February, and I like the way we are practicing. We are practicing to get better, which is so important. These guys have approached it the right way."

"I was so happy to see O'Mar [Stanley]. I felt [his performance] was coming today because of the energy he played with in practice. The response he had in practice was terrific. He's step-by-step getting better. When you have a guy like that who is an all-league player, he's going to be a difference maker down the stretch."