Boise State Moves Into 1st With 84-72 Win

After a setback against New Mexico State, the Boise State basketball team appears to be in high gear again. Last night, the Broncos recorded their 19th win of the season with an impressive 84-72 win over Fresno State. The victory moves the Broncos into sole possession of first place in the WAC.

Reggie Larry scored 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds and Mark Sanchez sparked Boise State off the bench as the Broncos held off a late rally from Fresno State to record an 84-72 win last night at Taco Bell Arena.  The win, coupled with a Utah State loss to Hawai’i enabled Coach Greg Graham’s team to jump into first place in the Western Athletic Conference race.

Although the Broncos led since the opening minutes by as much as 12, the Bulldogs to their credit battled back twice.  Trailing 44-32 at the half, Fresno went on an 11-3 run in the first two minutes of the second half to cut the Boise State lead to 47-43.  The Broncos surged back ahead by 10, only to see Fresno State cut the lead to 60-55 with 10 minutes remaining.  Enter Sanchez.

Responded with seven critical points in a little more than a minute and the Broncos were never headed after that.  Sanchez, who finished with nine points, nearly had the first double-digit night of his career.  Larry led four Broncos in that department, while Matt  Nelson scored 16 and Anthony Thomas and Matt Bauscher added 12 each.

The matchup pitted the WAC's top offensive team, with Boise State averaging 83 points and leading the country in field goal shooting at 52 percent, against the league's No. 1 defensive team, Fresno State, which was holding opponents to 69 points per game.  The Broncos did nothing last night to hurt their statistics with 84 points and 54 percent shooting, including a blazing 63 percent in the second half.  Boise State is now 10-2 this season when scoring 80 or more points and moved into a tie for fifth place in school history with their 12^th 80-point game.

Boise State went into the WAC tilt one-half game behind league leader Utah State, which has held that position the last half of the season.  The Aggie stumble against Hawai’i opened the door for the Broncos to barge through, and that they did.  Boise State is now an impressive 10-3 in WAC play, with idle New Mexico State a half game behind at 9-3 and Utah State now at 8-3.  Nevada remains in strong contention as well with a 9-4 league mark.

Overall, the Broncos improved to 19-6 with at least six more games this season.  One win in those six games will make Boise State just the 15^th school since 1980 to make the “10-20 Club” twice.  To achieve membership in the Club, a school must win both ten regular season football games and 20 regular season basketball games at the Division I level in the same school year.  The Broncos can accomplish this feat despite the fact that they have been a Division I football team for 16 fewer years than most of the other eligible schools.  Boise State finished the 2003-04 season with a 12-1 football record and a 21-9 basketball mark.

Fresno State slipped to 4-8 in the WAC and 11-15 overall.  The scrappy Bulldogs can play quite a spoiler role down the stretch, facing off against top league contenders New Mexico State and Utah State  Fresno State was led by Kevin Bell with 21 and Eddie Miller with 16.

The scoring duo of Larry and Nelson shot up the single-season list of great Bronco duos with their performance last night.  The pair now has 855 points between them this season, which now ranks 20^th all-time.  That’s a move of six places overnight.  Reggie and Matt passed Coby Karl and Eric Lane (829 points in 2005-06), Clyde Dickey and George Wilson (831 in 1973-74), Tanoka Beard and Sherman Morris (836 points in 1992-93), Aaron Haynes and Bryan Defares (838 in 2002-03), Bill Otey and Wendell Hart (842 in 1968-69), and the 854 that they themselves scored for all of last season.  Larry and Nelson are now well within range of moving to 15^th in the next game, needing 21 points to do so.  A complete list of statistics follows this article.

Add in three-point sensation Tyler Tiedeman and that trio now ranks 13^th all-time.  Larry, Nelson and Tiedeman passed the trios of Beard, Jermaine Halliburton and Billy Fikes (1,165 combined points in 1991-92), Otey, Hart and Keith Burke (1,175 points n the 1968-69 season), Abe Jackson, Booker Nabors and Defares (1,181 points in 2001-02), Jackson, Kejuan Woods and Nabors (1,184 points in 2000-01) and Haynes, Jermaine Blackburn and Defares (1,202 points in the 2003-04) season.  With 35 more points, Reggie, Matt and Tyler will be ranked in the top 10 all-time at Boise State.

With 10 more field goals, Larry will tie Arnell Jones and Steve Connor for 10^th on the single season list with 187. 

Coach Graham’s group takes a break from conference play with two final con-conference games.  The Broncos host Cal State-Bakersfield Wednesday night before the ESPN Bracket Buster game against Siena Saturday in Taco Bell Arena.

Records within reach for 2007-08 Broncos:

Wins On The Road

1.  10 (2003-04)

2.    9 (1998-99)

       9 (1987-88)

       9 (1988-89)

       9 (2007-08)

6.    7 (1990-91)

7.    6 (2000-01)

       6 (1994-95)

       6 (1986-87)

       6 (1975-76)

11.  5 (1999-2000)

       5 (1996-97)

       5 (1995-96)

14.  4 (2002-03)

       4 (1984-85)

       4 (1974-75)

       4 (1973-74)

80-Points+ Under Graham:

2002-03 (1-0)

2003-04 (9-0)

2004-05 (6-1)

2005-06 (5-0)

2006-07 (9-2)

2007-08 (10-1)

90-Points+ Under Graham:

2003-04 Boise State 98, UTEP 94

2005-06 Boise State 90, Montana 69

2006-07 Boise State 94, Montana State 69

2006-07 Boise State 99, Sacramento State 66

2006-07 Boise State 101, Western Montana 65

2007-08 Boise State 107, Montana Tech 53

2007-08 Boise State 91, San Francisco 81 (A)

2007-08 Boise State 93, Idaho State 61 (A)

2007-08 Boise State 95, Idaho 84  (A)

2007-08 Boise State 95, Nevada 80 (A)

2007-08 Boise State 95, Hawai’i 80

2007-08 Boise State 90, Fresno State 89 in OT (A)

Number Of 90-Point Games In A Season:

1.  10 (1969-70)

2.    7 (2007-08)

3.    7 (1974-75)

3.    7 (1971-72)

3.    7 (1968-69)

6.    6 (1975-76)

6.    6 (1970-71)

8.    4 (1992-93)

8.    4 (1981-82)

8.    4 (1977-78)

8.    4 (1972-73)

Number Of 80-Point Games In A Season:

1.  18 (1969-70)

1.  18 (1968-69)

3.  14 (1975-76)

4.  13 (1974-75)

5.  12 (1971-72)

5.  12 (2007-08)

6.  11 (2006-07)

7.  10 (2000-01)

7.  10 (1992-93)

7.  10 (1971-72)

Career Blocked Shots

 1. 160 Tanoka Beard 1989-93

 2. 156 John Coker 1991-95

 3. 126 Trever Tillman 1997-02

 4. 108 Bruce Bolden 1981-85

 5. 103 Jason Ellis 2001-05

 6 . 86 Dave Richardson 1977-80

 7 . 69 Jeff Kelley 1983-87

 8.  67 Reggie Larry 2006-current

 9.  62 Larry McKinney 1979-81

10. 60 Richard Morgan 1998-02

10. 60 Billy Fikes 1990-92

12. 57 Coby Karl 2003-07

Top Rebounding Duos Among All Players:

 1.   Kansas State--19.3 (Michael Beasley--12.6, Bill Walker--6.7)

 2.   Notre Dame--18.2 (Luke Harangody--10.4, Rob Kurz--7.8)

 3.   Memphis--18.1 (Joey Dorsey--10.7, Robert Dozier--7.4)

 3.   Rider--18.1 (Jason Thompson--11.8, Ryan Thompson--6.3)

 5.   California--17.8 (Ryan Anderson--10.2, Devon Hardin 7.6)

 6.   Indiana--17.6 (D.J. White--10.2, Jamarcus Ellis--7.4)

 7.   Ohio--17.3 (Leon Williams (10.2, Jerome Tillman--7.1)

 7.  Tennessee Tech--17.3 (Daniel Northern--9.0, Amadi McKenzie--8.3)

 7.   St. Mary's--17.0 (Diamon Simpson--9.1, Omar Samhan--7.9)

10.  Syracuse--16.6 (Paul Harris--8.7, Arinza Onuaku--7.9)

11.  Boise State--16.5 (Reggie Larry--9.1, Matt Nelson--7.4)

12.  High Point--16.3 (Arizona Reid--11.2, Cruz Daniels--5.1)

13.  Pittsburgh--16.1 (DeJuan Blair--9.4, Sam Young--6.7)

13.  Connecticut--16.1 (Jeff Adrien--9.2, Hasheem Thabeet--7.7)

13.  Tennessee-Martin--16.1 (Gerald Robinson--8.3, Lester Hudson--7.8)

13.  Grambling--16.1 (Anthony Williams--8.7, Jamal Breaux--7.4)

17.  Texas--16.0 (Damion James--10.6, Connor Atchley--5.4)

18.  Louisville--15.9 (Earl Clark--8.2, Terrence Williams--7.7)

19.  Niagara--15.6 (Charron Fisher--9.1, Benson Egemonye--6.5)

20.  Mississippi State--15.2 (Jarvis Varnado--7.9, Charles Rhodes--7.3)

Boise State 1,000-Point Club

NAME (Years) G FGs FTs AVG. PTS

 1. Tanoka Beard, 1989-93 110 676 592 17.7 1944

 2. Steve Connor, 1974-78 107 771 385 18.0 1927

 3. Coby Karl, 2003-07 127 500 432 13.4 1698

 4. Abe Jackson, 1998-02 106 544 319 15.7 1660

 5. Chris Childs, 1985-89 118 540 359 13.6 1602

 6. Roberto Bergersen, 1996-99 86 535 252 17.3 1485

 7. Vince Hinchen, 1981-84 78 489 265 15.9 1243

 8. Gerry Washington, 1995-99 113 352 322 10.7 1210

 9. Pat Hoke, 1972-76 86 445 275 13.5 1165

10. Trent Johnson, 1974-78 107 463 229 10.8 1155

11. John Coker, 1991-95 84 439 154 13.4 1126

12. Danny Jones, 1974-78 98 406 278 11.1 1090

13. Bryan Defares, 2000-04 118 360 313 9.2 1087

14. Eric Lane, 2003-07 122 373 129 8.8 1074

15. Ron Austin, 1969-71 52 386 295 20.5 1067

16. Greg Bunn, 1970-73 77 343 346 13.4 1032

17. Booker Nabors, 2000-04 119 374 166 8.6 1025

18. Jason Ellis, 2001-05 120 387 230 8.4 1004

---  Reggie Larry, 2006-present 56 347 187 16.4 917

 Career Scoring Average

1.      Ron Austin 1969-1971 (20.5)

2.      Steve Connor 1974-1978 (18.0)

3.      Tanoka Beard 1989-1993 (17.7)

4.      Roberto Bergersen 1996-1999 (17.3)

5.      Clyde Dickey 1972-1974 (16.14)

6.      Arnell Jones 1986-1988 (16.11)

7.      Vince Hinchen 1981-1984 (15.9)

8.      Abe Jackson 1998-2002 (15.7)

9.      Larry McKinney 1979-1981 (15.2)

10.  Dave Williams 1979-1980 (15.1)

--- Reggie Larry 2006-present (16.4)

All-Time Single-Season Scoring Duos

 1.  Bergersen/Tolman 1997-98 1,021

 2.  Coker/Williams 1993-94 1,014

 3.  Austin/Wallace 1970-71 1,002

 4.  Bergersen/Washington 1998-99 998

 5.  Hoke/Connor 1975-76 987

 6.  Blackburn/Karl 2004-05 955

 7.  Jones/Childs 1986-87 936

 8.  Beard/Sanor 1990-91 928

 9.  Jones/Childs 1987-88 922

10. Hoke/Connor 1974-75 917

11. Jackson/Nabors 2001-02 899

12. Karl/Larry 2006-07 895

12. Connor/Jones 1977-78 895

13. Bailey/McKinney 1980-81 891

14. Jackson/Woods 2000-01 888

15. Karl/Nelson 2006-07 875

16. Foster/Childs 1988-89 874

17. Haynes/Blackburn 2003-04 860

19. Beard/Haliburton 1991-92 857

20- Larry/Nelson 2007-08 855

21. Nelson/Larry 2006-07 854

22. Otey/Hart 1968-69 842

23. Haynes/Defares 2002-03 838

24. Beard/Morris 1992-93 836

25. Dickey/Wilson 1973-74 831

26. Karl/Lane 2005-06 829

All-Time Single-Season Scoring Trios

 1.  Coker/Williams/Shephard 1993-94 1,352

 1.  Bergersen/Tolman/Washington 1997-98 1,352

 3.  Hoke/Connor/Jones 1975-76 1,334

 4.  Karl/Nelson/Larry 2006-07 1,312

 5.  Austin/Wallace/Bunn 1970-71 1,306

 6.  Jones/Childs/Foster 1987-88 1,286

 7.  Jones/Childs/Kelly 1986-87 1,267

 8.  Hoke/Connor/Smith 1974-75 1,257

 9.  Bergersen/Washington/Woods 1998-99 1,249

10. Blackburn/Karl/Lane-Harris 2004-05 1,248

11. Beard/Sanor/Fikes 1990-91 1,243

11. Connor/Jones/Johnson 1977-78 1,243

13.  Larry/Nelson/Tiedeman 2007-08 1,213

14. Haynes/Blackburn/Defares 2003-04 1,202

15. Jackson/Woods/Nabors 2000-01 1,184

16. Jackson/Nabors/Defares 2001-02 1,181

17. Otey/Hart/Burke 1968-69 1,175

18. Beard/Halliburton/Fikes 1991-92 1,165

Scoring Average, Season

 1.  24.5 Ron Austin 1970-71

 2.  22.2 Roberto Bergersen 1998-99

 3.  21.0 Tanoka Beard 1992-93

 4.  19.6 Steve Connor 1977-78

 5.  19.4 Roberto Bergersen 1997-98

 6.  19.2 Pat Hoke 1974-75

 7.  18.6 Abe Jackson 2001-02

 8.  18.1 Tanoka Beard 1991-92

 9.  17.7 Tanoka Beard 1990-91

10. 17.6 Vince Hinchen 1983-84

10. 17.6 Steve Connor 1974-75

12. 17.4 Abe Jackson 2000-01

12. 17.4 John Coker 1993-94

14. 17.3 Eric Bailey 1980-81

14. 17.3 Steve Connor 1976-77

16. 17.2 Coby Karl 2005-06

16. 17.2 Vince Hinchen 1982-83

16. 17.2 Clyde Dickey 1973-74

19. 17.1 Pat Hoke 1975-76

20. 17.0 Larry McKinney 1980-81

---  19.2 Reggie Larry 2007-08

---  15.4 Matt Nelson 2007-08

Rebound Average, Season

 1.  17.3 Bill Otey 1968-69

 2.  13.0 Bill Otey 1969-70

 3.  11.0 Steve Wallace 1971-72

 4.   9.8 Steve Wallace 1970-71

 5.   9.1 George Wilson 1973-74

 6 .  9.0 Jason Ellis 2003-04

 7 .  8.96 Jason Ellis 2004-05

 8 .  8.9 Matt Nelson 2006-07

 9.   8.8 Greg Bunn 1971-72

10.  8.75 Pat Hoke 1974-75

11.  8.73 Ron Austin 1970-71

---   9.1 Reggie Larry 2007-08

---   7.4 Matt Nelson 2007-08

Field Goals Made, Season

  1.  231 John Coker 1993-94

  2.  224 Roberto Bergersen 1998-99

  3.  221 Ron Austin 1970-71

  4.  217 Roberto Bergersen 1997-98

  5.  211 Steve Connor 1977-78

  6.  199 Tanoka Beard 1992-93

  7.  197 Jermaine Blackburn 2004-05

  8.  192 Bill Otey 1968-69

  9.  188 Eric Bailey 1980-81

 10. 187 Arnell Jones 1987-88

 10. 187 Steve Connor 1975-76

---   177 Reggie Larry 2007-08

---   155  Matt Nelson 2007-08

3-Point Field Goals Made, Season

 1.  92 Abe Jackson 2001-02

 2.  83 Abe Jackson 2000-01

 3.  80 Coby Karl 2006-07

 4.  77 Mike Tolman 1997-98

 5.  72 Abe Jackson 1999-00

 6.  71 Roberto Bergersen 1998-99

 7.  70 Coby Karl 2005-06

 8.  69 Franco Harris 2004-05

 9.  67 Coby Karl 2004-05

10. 64 Tyler Tiedeman 2007-08

11. 63 Gerry Washington 1998-99

12. 60 Eric Lane 2005-06

12. 60 Roberto Bergersen 1997-98

12. 60 Joe Wyatt 1996-97

---  44  Matt Bauscher 2007-08

3-Point Field Goals Attempted, Season

 1.  281 Abe Jackson 2001-02

 2.  216 Coby Karl 2006-07

 3.  206 Abe Jackson 2000-01

 4.  200 Abe Jackson 1999-00

 5.  181 Coby Karl 2004-05

 6.  179 Roberto Bergersen 1998-99

 7.  178 Franco Harris 2004-05

 8.  177 Coby Karl 2005-06

 9.  174 Mike Tolman 1997-98

10. 167 Eric Lane 2005-06

11. 163 Eric Lane 2006-07

12. 162 Eric Lane 2004-05

---  127 Tyler Tiedeman 2007-08

Field Goal Percentage, Season

(Minimum 5 attempts per game)

 1.   71.4% (120-168) Billy Fikes 1991-92

 2. . 69.0% (129-187) Billy Fikes 1990-91

 3. . 66.1% (187-283) Arnell Jones 1987-88

 4. . 65.5% (114-174) Bruce Bolden 1984-85

 5. . 63.4%(109-172) Phil Rodman 1995-96

 6. . 60.6% (140-231) Danny Jones 1977-78

 7. . 60.2% (127-211) Dave Richardson 1979-80

 8. . 60.1% (101-168) Bruce Bolden 1982-83

 9. . 59.8% (144-241) Jeff Kelley 1986-87

10. .59.3% (131-221) Danny Jones 1975-76

---   65.7 (155-236) Matt Nelson 2007-08

3-Point Field Goal Percentage, Season

 (Minimum 2 attempts per game)

 1. .52.2% (36-69) Brian King 1987-88

 2.  49.5% (45-91) Lance Vaughn 1990-91

 3.  45.0% (54-120) Chris Childs 1987-88

 4.  44.61% (29-65) Kenny Wilson 2005-06

 4.  44.61% (29-65) Brian King 1988-89

 6.  44.56% (41-92) Shambric Williams 1993-94

 7.  44.3% (77-174) Mike Tolman 1997-98

 8.  44.0% (40-91) Booker Nabors 2003-04

 9.  43.7% (52-119) Chris Childs 1988-89

10. 43.2% (54-125) Gerry Washington 1996-97

---  50.4%  (64-127) Tyler Tiedeman 2007-08

---  44.4 % (44-99) Matt Bauscher 2007-08

---  44.6 % (29-65) Reggie Larry 2007-08

Assists, Season

 1. 145 Doug Usitalo 1987-88

 2. 145 Steve Connor 1976-77

 3. 135 Frank Jackson 1984-85

 4. 130 Doug Usitalo 1986-87

 5. 129 Coby Karl 2004-05

 6. 128 Rodger Bates 1980-81

 7. 127 Terry Miller 1975-76

 8. 125 Coby Karl 2006-07

 9. 122 Chris Childs 1988-89

10. 122 Steve Connor 1975-76

11. 118 Steve Connor 1977-78

---   102 Anthony Thomas 2007-08

Steals, Season

 1.  105 Doug Usitalo 1986-87

 2.   80 Doug Usitalo 1987-88

 3.   72 Rawn Hayes 1982-83

 4.   68 Chris Childs 1986-87

 5.   58 Chris Childs 1987-88

 6.   57 Bernard Walker 1993-94

 7.   56 Darnell Woods 1992-93

 7.   56 Chris Childs 1985-86

 9.   55 Gerry Washington 1996-97

10.  54 Roberto Bergersen 1998-99

10.  54 Arnell Jones 1987-88

---   43 Anthony Thomas 2007-08

Career Scoring Average

 1. 20.5 Ron Austin 1969-71

 2. 18.0 Steve Connor 1974-78

 3. 17.7 Tanoka Beard 1989-93

 4. 17.3 Roberto Bergersen 1996-99

 5. 16.14 Clyde Dickey 1972-74

 6. 16.11 Arnell Jones 1986-88

 7. 15.9 Vince Hinchen 1981-84

 8. 15.7 Abe Jackson 1998-02

 9. 15.2 Larry McKinney 1979-81

10. 15.1 Dave Williams 1979-80

---  16.4 Reggie Larry 2006-current

Career Rebounding Average

 1. 15.1 Bill Otey 1968-70

 2. 10.4 Steve Wallace 1970-72

 3. 7.9 Jason Ellis 2001-05

 4. 7.7 Arnell Jones 1986-88

 5. 7.0 Pat Hoke 1972-76

 5. 7.0 Bruce Bolden 1981-85

 7. 6.6 Trent Johnson 1974-78

 8. 6.1 Tanoka Beard 1989-93

 9.  6.0 Dave Richardson 1977-80

10. 5.7 Danny Jones 1974-78

---  8.6 Reggie Larry 2006-current

Career Field Goals Made

 1.  771 Steve Connor 1974-78

 2.  676 Tanoka Beard 1989-93

 3.  544 Abe Jackson 2001-02

 4.  540 Chris Childs 1985-89

 5 . 535 Roberto Bergersen 1996-99

 6.  500 Coby Carl 2003-07

 7 . 489 Vince Hinchen 1981-84

 8 . 445 Pat Hoke 1972-76

 9 . 439 John Coker 1991-95

10. 406 Danny Jones 1975-78

11. 389 Jason Ellis 2001-05

---  347 Reggie Larry 2007-08

Career Three-Point Percentage

 1. 45.3% (120-265) Brian King 1987-90

 2. 42.3% (47-111) Wilson Foster 1987-89

 3. 42.2% (163-386) Chris Childs 1985-89

 3.  42.2% (43-102) Shambric Williams 1992-94

 5. 40.9% (45-110) Craig Spjute 1984-86

 6. 40.049% (163-407) Roberto Bergersen 1996-99

 7.  40.046% (171-427) Mike Tolman 1992-93/95-98

 8.  38.7% (77-199) Jermaine Haliburton 1991-93

 9. .38.3% (184-480) Gerry Washington 1995-99

10. .38.3%(112-293) Franco Harris 2003-05

---  39.7% (104-262) Matt Bauscher 2005-current

--- 42.6% (109-256) Tyler Tiedeman 2005-current

TEAM RECORDS:

Games Won

1. 24 1987-88

2. 23 2003-04

2. 23 1988-89

4. 22 1986-87

5. 21 1998-99

5. 21 1992-93

-- 19 2007-08

Points Scored

1. 2,431 2003-04

2. 2,393 2004-05

3. 2,360 2006-07

4. 2,293 1975-76

5. 2,249 1968-69

6. 2,237 2000-01

-- 2,064 2007-08

Scoring Average

1. 83.3 1968-69

2. 82.0 1974-75

3. 79.6 1970-71

4. 79.1 1975-76

5. 78.5 1971-72

-- 82.6 2007-08

Field Goals Made

1. 956 1968-69

2. 867 1975-76

3. 856 2004-05

4. 852 2003-04

5. 848 1993-94

-- 715 2007-08

Field Goals Attempted

1. 2,146 1968-69

2. 1,987 2004-05

3. 1,919 1972-73

4. 1,904 2003-04

5. 1,828 2006-07

6. 1,809 1975-76

-- 1,445 2007-08

Field Goal Percentage

1. 52.4% 1987-88

2. 51.2% 1978-79

3. 50.5% 1990-91

4. 49.7% 1986-87

5. 49.6% 1988-89

-- 51.6% 2007-08

Free Throws Attempted

1. 797 1971-72

2. 792 1986-87

3. 768 1975-76

4. 746 1970-71

5. 712 1992-93

-- 550 2007-08

Free Throw Percentage

1. 73.8% 2003-04

2. 72.8% 1975-76

3. 71.9% 1997-98

3. 71.9% 1981-82

3. 71.9% 1988-89

---66.0% 2007-08

3-Point Field Goals Made

1. 263 2004-05

2. 230 2005-06

3. 223 1996-97

4. 221 2003-04

4. 221 1997-98

6. 220 2006-07

---206 2007-08

3-Point Field Goals Attempted

1. 735 2004-