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The return of Ellis leads Broncos to win
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Ellis had missed the previous six games due to a hernia operation, but came off the bench with just over seven minutes to play in the first half and finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. But more importantly, he added the size and leadership the Broncos had been missing while he was injured.
Forward Tez Banks had by far his most productive game of his Boise State career, scoring 12 points and grabbing six rebounds. He scored six points before Ellis came into the game and had numerous open looks with both players on the floor together.
The Broncos looked more unselfish than they have in a long time, making crisp passes and finding the open man all night.
At one point midway through the first half, point guard Eric Lane sparked a 10-0 Bronco run as he stole the ball away three times, scored eight points and one assist to Franco Harris—all within a one minute, 11 second stretch.
The Spartans were led by forward Marquin Chandler, who had a season-high 16 rebounds to go along with 15 points. However, Chandler fouled out with 4:38 remaining in the game and shot only 7-19 from the floor.
The Broncos had six steals to go along with only eight turnovers on the night.
Franco Harris led all BSU scorers with 15 points. Jermaine Blackburn (11 points) and Lane (10) were the others to score in double figures. Coby Karl added nine for the Broncos and Kareem Lloyd added five, all in 32 seconds in the second half.
Boise State will host Hawaii on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Taco Bell Arena. Hawaii lost to UTEP by one, 71-70 Thursday night in El Paso, Tex.
Chris Botez, the 7-foot center who came on a recruiting trip to Boise last year, is averaging 6.2 points and six rebounds a game for Hawaii.
revor Horn
Sports Editor
