SAN DIEGO (AP) – It had been quite some time since the San Diego State Aztecs lost on their home court.
On Saturday night, they did more than that. They fell apart.
Derrick Marks scored 18 points and James Webb III added 16 for Boise State, which rallied to stun No. 24 San Diego State 56-46 Saturday night to keep the Aztecs from clinching at least a share of the Mountain West Conference title.
SDSU led 39-32 with 11:12 left but went cold from the field. Boise State outscored SDSU 24-7 in the final 11 minutes.
SDSU (22-7, 12-4) had its 29-game home winning streak snapped. The Aztecs were playing for the first time since returning to The Associated Press Top 25 after a two-month absence.
The Aztecs hadn’t lost at home since Nov. 14, 2013, when they were defeated by Arizona.
”It’s been a long time since I’ve come up here with a frown on my face and feeling disappointment. I’ve got both of those,” coach Steve Fisher said afterward.
”We had an opportunity to clinch at least a share of the title and didn’t get it done. That’s disappointing,” he added. ”We were the only team in the league to not lose a home game and we lost one today. That’s disappointing.”
Boise State (22-7, 12-4) won for the first time in four games at Viejas Arena and swept the season series.
The Broncos used a 10-0 run to take control midway through the second half.
Trailing 39-32, the Broncos got a three-point play by Rob Heyer, a 3-pointer by Montigo Alford and two free throws by Mikey Thompson before Webb finished the run by stripping freshman Trey Kell and going coast-to-coast for a layup and a 42-39 lead with 7:42 left.
SDSU’s JJ O’Brien made a baseline jumper and Kevin Allen responded with a shot off a rebound. Webb, who had 12 rebounds, hit a corner 3 to give the Broncos a 47-41 lead with 6:14 left.
Winston Shepard scored 16 for SDSU, which made only three baskets in the final 11 minutes.
”We didn’t make plays. It’s as simple as that,” Fisher said. ”We had some good shots. I think we pressed and took shots that were OK, but took them too early. We settled a little bit. Maybe they were OK, but not the right guy taking them.”
Boise State outrebounded SDSU 42-30.
SDSU led 24-21 at halftime. The Aztecs had led 17-8 after a 3-pointer by Shepard and two free throws by freshman Malik Pope.
Boise State closed to 20-19 on a floater by Marks and a slam dunk by Webb. Shepard answered with a layup and Marks had a baseline layup after a nice pass from Heyer. Kell made a layup to give SDSU its three-point halftime lead.
The Broncos outrebounded the Aztecs 23-16 in the first 20 minutes.
”We know how tough a place this is here,” BSU coach Leon Rice said. ”We have a ton of respect for this team and what they’ve done here. I come out before the game and get goosebumps in this place.”
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TIP-INS
Boise State: The Broncos also beat the Aztecs 61-46 at home on Feb. 8.
San Diego State: Senior forward Dwayne Polee II did not play. He returned to action a week earlier, his first action since collapsing during a game against UC Riverside on Dec. 22. SDSU spokesman Mike May said doctors saw something in Polee’s heart readings and wanted to be cautious. May said doctors are adjusting Polee’s medication and hope he can play again this season.
UP NEXT
Boise State: At San Jose State on Wednesday night.
San Diego State: At UNLV on Wednesday night.
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