Memphis Ends Bronco Run At NIT

BOISE, ID — The Boise State University men's basketball team ran into the defense of the Memphis Tigers on Thursday, March 25 with the outcome a 59-56 loss, ending the Broncos run at the National Invitational Tournament at UNT Coliseum in Denton, Texas.

The top-seeded Tigers used a combination of man-to-man and zone defenses to hold the Bronocs to the lowest point total of the season.

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“It’s just unpredictable. You don’t know what’s going to happen. If they’re gonna send two. If they’re gonna go zone. If they’re gonna switch to man,” Boise State redshirt senior Derrick Alston Jr. said in a postgame Zoom interview. “It’s hard to kind of read, and then with that athleticism and length, it’s hard to play against.”

The Memphis defense led to Boise State shooting only 37.7 % from the floor and the percentage dipped to 29.2 % from the 3-point arc.

The Broncos started well, leading 15-5 at one point. The Tigers stormed back, using a 22-6 run to lead at the half, 31-26.

Junior Mladen Armus led the Broncos with 12 points and added seven rebounds. Devonaire Doutrive and Derrick Alston each had 11 points.

Boise State ends the season with a 19-9 record.

MEMPHIS 59, BOISE ST. 56
BOISE ST. (19-9)

Armus 5-6 2-2 12, Akot 4-10 0-0 10, Alston 3-9 4-6 11, Doutrive 4-13 2-3 11, Shaver 3-9 1-2 10, Dennis 1-5 0-0 2, N.Smith 0-0 0-2 0, Milner 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 20-53 9-15 56.

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