The Boise State men’s basketball team faced its second consecutive loss in Mountain West Conference play on January 3, 2024, falling to Grand Canyon with a final score of 75-58 at ExtraMile Arena. After trailing 37-27 at halftime, the Broncos (9-6, 1-3) struggled in the second half, quickly finding themselves down by 18 points. Although they managed to close the gap to four points at one stage, the Lopes (9-5, 2-1) regained control to secure the victory.
Boise State’s shooting performance was disappointing, with the team connecting on just 34.7 percent of their shots from the floor, going 17 of 49. Their three-point shooting was even less effective, making only 4 of 19 attempts (21.1 percent). Despite a strong outing at the foul line, where they converted 20 of 25 shots (80 percent), the Broncos struggled with ball movement, finishing the game with only six assists. In contrast, Grand Canyon dominated the rebounding battle, finishing with a 38-28 advantage.
Head coach Leon Rice did not hold back in his assessment of the team’s performance. In a postgame radio interview, he acknowledged the intensity with which Grand Canyon played, saying, “Credit Grand Canyon. They came out with some desperation. They got beat at home, and they came with desperation.” Rice criticized his team’s lack of fight, stating, “We were the softest I’ve seen us be this year. We got punked on the glass by 10, and they were just so much tougher than us.”
In his reflections on the game, Rice pointed out moments where the Broncos showed potential. “We had a good little stretch in the second half where we made a run at them, and they responded,” he noted. However, he also remarked on the team’s sluggishness, saying, “We looked like we were running in sand. They were a step faster than us, they were a step tougher than us.”
The coach highlighted the aggressive play of Grand Canyon, which caught Boise State off guard. “They came out with an attitude that they didn’t care if they fouled. They were the aggressor and got us on our heels,” Rice explained. This lack of response from his team was particularly disappointing for the coach, who had expected a stronger performance based on their earlier resilience in tough situations.
Rice emphasized the need for his players to adapt during challenging moments. “I’m telling our guys ‘We’re in the bonus, we’re in the bonus,’ and we settled for bad shots,” he said. He criticized the lack of strategic play from his guards, pointing out that they needed to be more savvy on the court. He specifically noted the performance of Grand Canyon guard Jaden Henley, who showed how to draw fouls effectively.
The Broncos will need to regroup as they prepare for their next match. With only one win in their last four games, the team must find a way to improve if they hope to regain momentum in the Mountain West Conference.
