Boise State asserted its dominance from the opening tip, racing out to a 48-29 halftime lead and never looking back in a 96-54 thrashing of Air Force at ExtraMile Arena. The Broncos' convincing victory was fueled by a balanced attack, with three players scoring in double figures, led by Drew Fielder's 20 points and 8 rebounds. Spencer Ahrens chipped in with 18 points and 5 rebounds, while Aginaldo Neto added 11 points to the winning effort.
The Broncos' stifling defense held Air Force to just 29 points in the first half, setting the tone for a long night for the Falcons. Kam Sanders led Air Force with 10 points, but it was not enough to stem the tide of the Boise State onslaught. Eli Robinson and Lucas Hobin contributed 8 and 7 points, respectively, but the Falcons' offense was unable to find any rhythm against the Broncos' tenacious defense.
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction of a 14.4-point Boise State victory proved accurate, as the Broncos far exceeded expectations with their 42-point margin of victory. The actual score of 96-54 was a far cry from the predicted 70-70 deadlock, a reflection of Boise State's impressive performance.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The game was essentially over by halftime, with Boise State's 19-point lead ballooning to as many as 44 points in the second half. The Broncos' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Fielder and Ahrens leading the charge. Air Force, on the other hand, struggled to find any consistency on either end of the floor, ultimately succumbing to the Broncos' relentless pressure.
The win improves Boise State's record to 12-8, while Air Force falls to 3-17. While the outcome was never in doubt, the margin of victory is sure to catch the attention of tournament selectors. This game was classified as a Quadrant 4 contest for Boise State, but the convincing nature of the win will only serve to bolster the Broncos' resume. Conversely, the loss was a Quadrant 1 opportunity for Air Force, but the Falcons' inability to compete with a superior opponent will not help their tournament chances.
In the end, Boise State's dominating performance will be a significant boost to their tournament resume, particularly given the lopsided nature of the victory. The Broncos' ability to take care of business against an inferior opponent will be viewed favorably by the selection committee, and they want to build on this momentum as the season wears on.