Boise State opens on torrid pace, beats Fresno State 81-70

BOISE, Idaho (AP) James Webb III scored 25 points and pulled down nine rebounds as Boise State continued its torrid shooting early, then hung on to beat Fresno State 81-70 on Saturday afternoon.

The Broncos (12-4, 3-0 Mountain West) shot 50 percent from the field their third game this month shooting better than 45 percent in winning their ninth consecutive game and 17th in a row at Taco Bell Arena.

Webb had 18 points in the first half when the Broncos made 18 of 27 shots and took a 51-32 lead.

Nick Duncan and Anthony Drmic scored 13 points apiece and Mikey Thompson added 12 for Boise State, which won despite making only three field goals in the final 15 minutes of the second half.

Fresno State (11-6, 2-2) was led by 26 points from Marvelle Harris. The Bulldogs, who trailed by as many as 21 points in the second half, got within 67-64 with 5:02 to play but couldn't complete the comeback.

Karachi Edo finished with 12 points for Fresno State, while Paul Watson had 11 before each fouled out.

TIP INS

Fresno State: Has lost 12 consecutive games in Boise. The Bulldogs' last win at Boise State came on Jan. 15, 2004. ... The 51 points allowed by Fresno State in the first half were the most allowed by the Bulldogs this season. ... Fresno State committed more turnovers (11) than its opponent for just the third time this season.

Boise State: Reserve center Robin Jorch saw his first action since Dec. 9. He'd been out with an ankle injury. He scored one point. ... After shooting 66.7 percent in the first half, Boise State made only 7 of 23 shots in the second half and one of those makes came on a goaltending call.

UP NEXT

Fresno State hosts San Jose State on Saturday.

Boise State plays at Nevada on Wednesday.

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