Boise State Falls to Colorado State in Mountain West Championship, Turns Focus to NCAA Tournament

LAS VEGAS – In a hard-fought Mountain West Championship final, Boise State came up short against Colorado State, falling 69-56 on Saturday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center. Despite another stellar performance from Tyson Degenhart, the Broncos struggled to find their rhythm offensively, while the Rams capitalized on efficient perimeter shooting to claim the title.

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Slow Start and Defensive Battle

The Broncos (24-10) opened the game with a strong defensive presence, holding Colorado State (25-9) scoreless for the first five minutes and jumping out to a 6-0 lead. However, the Rams responded with a 15-0 surge that put Boise State on the back foot. The first half proved to be a grind for both teams offensively, with just 18 combined field goals. Boise State shot only 33.3% from the field in the opening 20 minutes, while Colorado State found an edge from beyond the arc, knocking down six three-pointers to take a 32-22 lead into halftime.

Degenhart Shines, But Broncos Struggle to Keep Pace

Tyson Degenhart was once again the offensive catalyst for Boise State, finishing with 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting. It marked his second consecutive 20-point performance and his 13th of the season, ranking among the top scorers in the Mountain West. However, he was the lone Bronco to reach double figures, as the rest of the lineup struggled against Colorado State’s disciplined defense.

Nique Clifford led the Rams with a game-high 24 points, adding six rebounds and three assists. Ethan Morton provided a boost off the bench for Colorado State, chipping in 11 points.

Second-Half Push Falls Short

Boise State came out of the break with urgency, scoring the first five points of the second half to cut the deficit to five. Yet, Colorado State countered with another scoring burst, this time an 11-0 run that reestablished a double-digit advantage. The Rams continued to execute from deep, finishing the game 12-of-24 (50%) from beyond the arc, keeping Boise State at bay. The Broncos, meanwhile, struggled to generate consistent offensive momentum, shooting just 38.8% from the field for the game.

Looking Ahead: NCAA Tournament Awaits

While the loss denied Boise State a Mountain West tournament title, the team’s body of work throughout the season has positioned them well for an NCAA Tournament berth. With Selection Sunday looming, the Broncos will now await their seeding and matchup as they prepare for the next challenge.

Head coach Leon Rice emphasized the importance of regrouping quickly. “This team has fought through adversity all year, and we’ve earned the opportunity to play in March Madness. We’ll get back to work and be ready for what’s ahead.”

Boise State’s NCAA Tournament fate will be revealed during the Selection Show on Sunday, where they look to make an impact on the national stage. With Degenhart leading the way and a resilient core, the Broncos will aim to reset and refocus as they take on the next phase of their season.