Las Vegas, NV (Sports Network) - Jamaal Franklin had 19 points and eight
rebounds as the San Diego State Aztecs defeated the Boise State Broncos,
73-67, in the quarterfinals of the 14th annual Mountain West Conference
Tournament.
Xavier Thames added 18 points and six boards for the Aztecs (22-9), who will
play New Mexico in Friday's semifinals. Chase Tapley tallied 17 points and six
rebounds.
The Aztecs, the fourth seed in this year's event, have brought home the title
four times over the years, the most of any league program. San Diego State has
been a fixture in the championship round of late as well, taking part in four
straight title games and winning in both 2010 and 2011.
Anthony Drmic ended with 20 points for the fifth-seeded Broncos (21-10), who
were playing in this tournament for just the second time after joining the
league last season following their departure from the Western Athletic
Conference. Derrick Marks added 14 points.
Holding a 21-19 lead with 5 1/2 minutes left in the first half, San Diego
State went on a 9-0 run to build an 11-point margin. It was a 33-26 game at
the break.
Trailing by 13, 49-36, with 11:48 to play, Boise State went on a 14-0 run to
grab the lead. Marks tallied eight points during a burst that Drmic capped
with two free throws, making it 50-49.
The Aztecs responded with the next six points and never looked back. Holding a
59-57 edge with under three minutes to go, San Diego State put together an 8-2
spurt to essentially put the game away.
San Diego State, which defeated the Broncos in the quarterfinals of the
tournament last season, owns a 6-1 mark against BSU all-time.
GAME NOTES:
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