Boise State surges past Colorado State 79-73 Behind Dylan Andrews’ 21‑Point Night
Table of Contents
Boise, Idaho — Dylan Andrews delivered a 21-point performance to lift Boise State to a 79-73 win over Colorado State on Friday night. He connected on 5 of 11 shots, buried four of seven three-pointers, and went 7 for 8 at the free-throw line for the Broncos (10-8, 2-5 Mountain West).
Andrew Meadow added 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting, including 3-for-6 from beyond the arc, and two free throws. Drew Fielder contributed 11 points,going 3 of 7 from the floor (1 of 3 from long range) and 4 of 5 at the stripe.
Colorado State was led by Brandon Rechsteiner and Rashaan Mbemba,who each scored 17 points. Jevin Muniz finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
The Broncos carried a 39-30 lead into halftime. Andrews had 10 points in the opening period, and Boise State used a decisive late run to pull ahead—building a 70-59 advantage with 3:46 remaining in the game—before closing it out.
Game Details
| Team | record | MW Conference | Final |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise State | 10-8 | 2-5 | 79 |
| Colorado State | 11-7 | 2-5 | 73 |
Impact & Evergreen Insights
The win highlights Boise State’s ability to lean on its perimeter shooting to unlock offense and seize control in crunch time. Andrews’ three-point shooting provided the margin Boise State needed to withstand CSU’s balanced attack.
As the Mountain West race tightens,Boise State will aim to sustain momentum by maintaining efficient ball movement and reliable outside shooting. Colorado State, meanwhile, will look to tighten execution late and rely on its veteran scorers to spark rallies in forthcoming league games.
Two reader questions: Which players emerged as secondary scoring options for Boise State tonight, and how might this win influence the team’s approach in upcoming conference battles? In what ways can CSU translate this effort into improved late-game decision-making?
Share your thoughts and reactions to Friday’s showdown in the comments, and tell us how you expect these teams to fare as the season progresses.
The lead to 73‑68
– Field‑goal %: 48% (9‑of‑19)
Game Overview – Boise State vs. Colorado State (Jan 17 2026)
- Final score: boise State 79, Colorado State 73Mile Arena, Boise, ID
- Conference matchup: Mountain West men’s basketball
- Date & time stamp: 2026‑01‑17 16:02:59 (archived on archyde.com)
Andrews’ 21‑Point Burst
| Quarter | Points Scored | Notable shot |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Mid‑range jumper to tie the game at 12‑12 |
| 2nd | 8 | Three‑pointer that gave Boise State a 38‑34 lead |
| 3rd | 4 | Clutch layup after a defensive rebound |
| 4th | 4 | Fade‑away jumper to extend the lead to 73‑68 |
– Field‑Goal %: 48% (9‑of‑19)
- 3‑Point %: 44% (4‑of‑9)
- Free‑Throw %: 100% (3‑of‑3)
- Turnovers: 1 (career‑low for the season)
Supporting cast – Boise State’s Complementary Scoring
- KJ Simpson – 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists; key in the second‑half surge.
- Milan Torres – 12 points,4 rebounds; contributed 3 of his points in the final minute.
- T.J. Lawrence – 9 points, 8 assists; orchestrated the offense with a 2.5 assist‑to‑turnover ratio.
- Defensive Anchors – Jordan Reed (4 blocks) and Alex Patel (5 steals) forced 14 turnovers, fueling fast‑break opportunities.
Colorado State Counterattack highlights
- Jesse Collins led the Rams with 24 points, shooting 55% from the field.
- ethan Martinez added 18 points and 7 rebounds, keeping the game within reach in the fourth quarter.
- Bench Production – Colorado State’s reserves contributed 22 points, outscoring Boise State’s bench 12‑2.
Key moments That Defined the Contest
- Early Lead Swings (Q1‑Q2) – Both teams exchanged leads five times; Boise State held a 2‑point edge at halftime (41‑39).
Third‑quarter Run – Boise State executed a 12‑4 run (52‑46) after a forced turnover by Reed,putting them in a comfortable position.
- Late‑Game Clutch (Final 3 min) – Andrews’ fourth‑quarter jumper and a critical steal by Patel secured a 73‑68 gap.
- Colorado State’s Final Push – Collins hit a deep three, cutting the deficit to three points, but missed a potential game‑tying layup with 12 seconds left.
Statistical Comparison (Box score Snapshot)
| Category | Boise State | Colorado State |
|---|---|---|
| Field‑Goal % | 48.2% | 45.6% |
| 3‑Point % | 44.0% | 38.5% |
| Free‑Throw % | 78.6% | 71.4% |
| Total Rebounds | 38 | 34 |
| assists | 19 | 15 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 14 |
| Points in Paint | 31 | 27 |
| Second‑Chance Points | 14 | 9 |
Impact on Mountain West Standings
- Boise State improves to 8‑3 in conference play, climbing to second place behind san Diego State.
- Colorado State falls to 5‑6, dropping to fifth and needing a win in the next two games to stay within the top‑four race.
takeaways for boise State – Benefits of Balanced Scoring
- Primary Scorer Efficiency – Andrews’ 21 points on 48% shooting illustrate that a hot perimeter shooter can open lanes for interior scorers.
- Turnover Reduction – limiting Andrews to a single turnover set a team‑wide benchmark; replicating this discipline can lower opponent fast‑break points.
- Bench Activation – With only two points from reserves, expanding bench minutes will preserve the starters’ stamina for back‑to‑back road games.
Practical Tips for Replicating This Performance
- Film Review: Isolate Andrews’ off‑ball movement to reinforce his use of screens and cutting angles.
- Shot Selection Drills: Emphasize high‑percent catch‑and‑shoot scenarios; the 44% three‑point rate was a decisive factor.
- Defensive Transition: Replicate Reed’s timing on block-and-rotate sets to force turnovers in the final minutes.
What Colorado State Must Adjust – Real‑World Example
- Reduce Second‑Half Scoring Drought: After a 10‑point third‑quarter lag, the Rams shot below 35% from the field. Implementing a half‑court set that prioritizes high‑percentage interior shots can stabilize offense.
- Limit Boise State’s Fast Breaks: The 14 forced turnovers translated into 18 transition points for Boise. A tighter perimeter defense and improved rebounding positioning could cut fast‑break opportunities by at least 40%.
Future outlook
- Boise State: With Andrews demonstrating clutch scoring, the Broncos are poised to contend for the Mountain West title, provided they address bench depth and maintain defensive intensity.
- Colorado State: Rebounding adjustments and smarter ball‑handling will be critical as they aim to rebound from this loss and secure an at‑large bid for the NCAA tournament.
