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Aztecs survive Three-Overtime Thriller, Defeat Boise State 110-107
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Boise State suffered a heartbreaking defeat on Saturday night, falling to San Diego State 110-107 in a grueling three-overtime contest at Viejas Arena. Despite a valiant comeback effort and five players scoring in double figures, teh broncos (9-5, 1-2 Mountain West) were ultimately edged by the Aztecs (9-4, 3-0 MW).
First-Half Struggles Plague Boise State
The opening minutes of the game were a tight affair, with both teams locked in an 8-8 tie after the first media timeout.However, San Diego State quickly seized control, embarking on a 12-1 run to establish a double-digit lead. The Aztecs’ momentum continued throughout the first half, fueled by exceptional shooting. San Diego State connected on 66% of their field goal attempts, building a commanding 50-29 advantage by halftime. Conversely, Boise State struggled offensively, shooting just 33% from the field and a dismal 21% from beyond the arc. Andrew Meadow led the Broncos with 11 points in the first frame, but it wasn’t enough to counter the Aztecs’ offensive firepower.
Broncos Mount a Furious Comeback
Boise State emerged from the intermission with renewed determination, steadily chipping away at the deficit. Within the first eight minutes of the second half, the Broncos halved San Diego State’s lead, trailing by 12 with 11:58 remaining. A key catalyst in this resurgence was Javan buchanan, who ignited the Boise State offense with a barrage of three-pointers. Buchanan connected on three consecutive triples, pulling the broncos within five points. with 4:02 left in regulation, Boise State finally tied the game at 73, thanks to a three-pointer from Drew Fielder and a driving layup by Meadow.
The final four minutes of regulation were a back-and-forth battle,with neither team able to gain a meaningful advantage. A potential game-winning jumper from Dylan Andrews rimmed out as time expired, sending the game into overtime.
Overtime Chaos and Aztec Victory
The first overtime period was a rollercoaster of emotions. boise State surged ahead by six points with just 18 seconds remaining, seemingly on the verge of victory. Though, San Diego State responded with a stunning 6-0 run, capped by a clutch basket, to tie the game at 93 and force a second overtime.
The second overtime saw the Aztecs score the first five points, but boise State refused to yield, answering with five points of their own to send the game to a third and final overtime. In the decisive third overtime, san Diego State ultimately prevailed, outscoring the Broncos 12-9. A last-ditch three-point attempt by Meadow to tie the game fell short, sealing Boise State’s fate.
Buchanan Shines, Records Fall
Despite the loss, several Broncos delivered standout performances.Javan Buchanan led all scorers with a career-high 29 points, surpassing 500 career points in the process. His six assists also tied a season-high. meadow contributed 25 points and matched his career-best with three steals. Fielder and Andrews each added 16 points, while Aginaldo Neto provided a spark off
