The Thriving World of Boise State Sports: Unveiling the Blue and Orange Spirit

BOISE, Idaho — Tyson Degenhart’s ninth career double-double, Boise State triumphed over UNLV, 81-59, on Tuesday evening within ExtraMile Arena.

Boise State (12-4, 4-1 MW) handed UNLV (9-6, 3-1 MW) its initial conference defeat of the season and enhanced their record to 7-1 at home.

Four Broncos reached double-digit scoring, led by Degenhart, who amassed 21 points (8-11 FGs) and 11 rebounds. Alvaro Cardenas nearly achieved a double-double himself, contributing 13 points and nine assists in 37 minutes of play.

O’Mar Stanley filled the stat sheet with 12 points, four rebounds, and two blocks. Javan Buchanan also contributed 12 points along with five rebounds.

For the Runnin’ Rebels, Jailen Bedford tallied 11 points, while both Jaden Henley and Dedan Thomas Jr. scored 10 points each.

At the commencement of the matchup, Boise State converted three of its first five attempts from the field and initiated the game with an 8-2 run. Meadow and Dylan Anderson together accounted for all eight points, each sinking a three-pointer.

The Broncos excelled with the long-range shots early on, netting three three-pointers within the first five minutes of action. Stanley and Degenhart complemented that with a fourth and fifth three-point conversion—the traditional way—with two layups plus a foul.

Distributing scoring well, five distinct Broncos contributed to the team’s initial 17 points. Meadow scored five of those 17, while the other four managed three points each.

During the first half, the Broncos forced UNLV into making nine turnovers. The Runnin’ Rebels’ nine miscues transformed into 16 points for Boise State.

With 8:19 left in the frame, Boise State seized its initial double-digit lead of the evening by way of a three-pointer from Pearson Carmichael followed by a layup from Degenhart. Carmichael’s long-range shot was his first collegiate points.

Thanks to a 14-2 rally in the last 4:39 of the half, Boise State’s advantage peaked at 19, its largest margin of the period. Cardenas concluded the first-half scoring with a jumper just three seconds before the buzzer.

For the half, the Broncos shot 50 percent from the field (17-34 FGs) and made five three-pointers. Boise State recorded 43 points and led by 19 at the break.

Within the first minute and a half of the second half, the Broncos’ advantage soared to 26. Boise State commenced the period with a 9-2 run, extending it to a 52-26 game.



Boise State, who surged ahead by as many as 29 points during the second half, maintained the lead throughout the game. As a team, the Broncos shot 49 percent (30-61 FGs) for the game, achieving their fifth victory by over 20 points in the 2024-25 season.



After alternating home games, Boise State will take Wednesday off before returning to training on Thursday. The next match for the Broncos will be in Logan, Utah, where they will face Utah State at 7 p.m. MT on Saturday.



NOTABLE:

 

Boise State improved to 19-11 in 30 all-time encounters with UNLV.

 

Going back nearly five years (March 5, 2020), the Broncos have claimed victory in nine of the last ten encounters against the Runnin’ Rebels.

 

This season, the Broncos have earned eight wins by double digits, including five by 20 or more points.

 

Alvaro Cardenas recorded nine assists in the contest, marking the 13th instance—and sixth consecutive game—he has achieved five or more assists in a single contest.

 

Surpassing 100 assists, Cardenas now holds 108 assists this season. His 108 assists trail La’Shard Anderson (165, 2010-11) by 57 for the most in a single season in program history.

 

Tyson Degenhart achieved his ninth career double-double (third of this season), accruing 21 points and 11 rebounds.

 

Degenhart raised his career scoring total to 1,644, placing him just 16 points shy of Abe Jackson for sixth on the all-time scoring chart in program history.

 

Pearson Carmichael made his collegiate debut, contributing eight points off the bench in 18 minutes.

 

QUOTABLE (HEAD COACH LEON RICE):

 

“Perfect response. We encountered a tough one the other day with a quick turnaround. I’m immensely proud of our players. We played with spirit, effort, and enthusiasm. We approached them in waves.”

 

“We spoke with (Pearson Carmichael’s) parents and consulted with him, and it felt like the right time.”

 

“In this current era with the evolving landscape of college athletics and the unpredictability it can bring, it appeared to be a wise decision to get him out there and support the team. For his first game—and it being a conference one—that was quite remarkable. I was very pleased.”

 

“I believed we played 37 extraordinarily powerful minutes. Those games can be challenging to execute flawlessly for 40, but 37 is a commendable complete game.”