Boise State Easily Defeats Nevada, 85-70
Broncos get a big road conference win.
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Nevada can’t keep pace
Boise State keeps winning streak alive despite weeks off of play, tops Nevada in Lawlor Events Center, 85-70.
Both teams looked to come out shaking off the rust as both squads have been hit hard by COVID pauses. The game Wednesday night was the Broncos first contest since December 28th. Nevada played three games in December and once in January before this contest. Boise State came into this game looking to solidify their spot in the upper tier of the Mountain West. Unfortunately for Nevada, the Wolf Pack continue to search for their footing and struggle to find their identity on offense.
The Bronco’s scoffed at talk of them being rusty, starting this contest scorching hot. Boise State wasted no time scoring the ball, leading the game 18-11 at the first under 12-minute media timeout. The Broncos during this time shot 50% from both the field and three-point line.
Nevada on the other hand failed to get anything going in the first half. Nevada’s 7’0 big man Will Baker had the Wolf Pack’s first seven points of the game. Sherfield and Cambridge Jr. both struggled to get anything going early. The duo combined for just 17 points in the first half. Cambridge Jr. had five points on 2-4 shooting in the first half. Sherfield, who came into the game averaging 18 points a contest, couldn’t buy a bucket early, not making a basket until five minutes left in the first half. Sherfield started 0-5 from the field for the second straight game. The 6’2 junior hit a three at the end of the first half to bring Nevada to within 14 at the break.
Boise State found success in their usual stars. Marcus Shaver had 12 points on an efficient 5-8 shooting in the first half. However, it was Emmanuel Akot who shined early in this game. The 6’8 guard had 14 points on 5-8 shooting and four assists in the first half.
Boise State dominated on both ends of the court in the first half. The Broncos shot nearly 50% from the field and an efficient 35% from beyond the arch. Boise State also shined on defense, holding the Wolf Pack to only 29% from the field and 3-10 from deep. The Broncos led 41-27 at the end of the first half.
It seemed halftime was just what Nevada needed as the Wolf Pack came out on a 10-0 run to bring the game to within seven. Cambridge Jr. and Sherfield were the big reason for the turnaround. The duo finished with 40 of Nevada’s 70 points and truly carried the Wolf Pack in the second half. Sherfield finished with 26 points on 7-17 shooting and seven assists. Cambridge Jr. scored a solid 14 points of his own on 5-10 shooting. In the end, Nevada struggled to find much productivity outside the duo, leading to a struggle throughout the game to score.
Nevada’s scoring run would be short-lived, as the Broncos pulled away late in this game. Boise State took a commanding 70-49 lead with eight minutes left in the game and never looked back.
Marcus Shaver Jr. had a monster game for Boise State. The fifth-year senior finished with 28 points and truly was an anchor for the Broncos late in the game. Akot finished with 24 points on 50% shooting from both the field and beyond the arch. The senior also shared the wealth finishing with five assists.
Next up for Nevada (7-6, 1-1) the Wolf Pack travel to face the Air Force Falcons (8-5, 1-1) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. For Boise State, the Broncos (11-4, 2-0) travel to New Mexico (7-9, 0-3) to battle in the Pit.
