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Hoops hits the hardwood to start season
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The defending Western Athletic Conference champs opened their season with an exhibition game on Saturday. While both the men and women’s basketball teams earned a victory on the day, it was prevalent that there is still much work to be done.
The women started off the afternoon opening against Lewis-Clark State Warriors, who are currently ranked fifth in the NAIA.
The lady Broncos seemed a little nervous and uncollected as LCSC took an early two point lead. However, the Broncos replied with a quick bucket by junior center Ja’Lara Walker. The Warriors continued their strong attack and tough defense as BSU misfired lay-in after lay-in six times within the first five minutes. The Broncos were behind by as much by eight in the first half. It was their tough defense and rebounding that kept them within striking distance. Senior guard Tasha Harris kept the defensive edge going; along with sophomore forward Janie Bos. Combined, the two accounted for five rebounds and four steals in the first half, respectively.
The thing that seemed to trouble the Broncos was converting their solid defensive plays to a strong offensive attack. The Warriors put on the pressure as the first half neared its end. BSU easily broke the press and converted on several lay-ins.
However, the Broncos entered half time trailing LCSC by two at 26-28.
The second half arrived and the Lady Broncos were out for victory. In the first 90 seconds Walker tallied six points and two blocks ignited BSU and put them up by four. BSU continued to push forward as it received contributions from every player on the team. Entering the final minutes the Lady Broncos were up by 12 and sealed the victory at 67-55.
Tasha Harris led BSU with 15 points, six rebounds, three steals and three assists. Walker contributed 16 points and three blocked shots to go along with Bos’s eight points and four steals. Not to be overlooked were the freshman that made their debut, guards Heather Pilcher and Courtney VanBrocklin made contributions as well. Pilcher recorded a steal and a block, while VanBrocklin had two assists, three rebounds and three points.
It is clear the women still have work to do, but their play in the second half gave encouragement as to what their level of play may be this year.
Later that afternoon the men took the court. They faced off against the Guelph Gryphons who made the trip all the way from Canada.
The men grabbed an early lead and never looked back. Their play was incredibly strong particularly in rebounding. Senior forward Mark Sanchez dominated the first half by recording 12 of his 24 points on the night.
Also demonstrating strong play was sophomore forward Paul Noonan and junior forward Ike Okoye. The two combined for 15 points and eight rebounds in the first half.
The Broncos outplayed the Gryphons in nearly every aspect of the game, the defense put on by guards Jamar Greene and Anthony Thomas forced Guelph into some fumbled mistakes and nervousness.
Going into the half, Boise State was up 48-21 over Guelph.
In the second half, Sanchez continued his strong play with anther 12-point effort. Noonan and Justin Salzwedel each hit a pair of treys and junior center Kurt Cunningham was a forced to be reckoned with in the middle as he tallied six points and four rebounds.
The men continued to dominate effortlessly and won the game 87-42. The season looks to be a strong one for the squad as their next battle will be another exhibition game against Concordia University Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 7:05 p.m. The women’s next competition will be Nov. 14, as they face off against Seattle at 6 p.m.
Both teams earned a victory, but a conference repeat is up in the air, once the few kinks get smoothed away they will most certainly be top contenders for both the men’s and women’s WAC titles.
MICHELLE GOODING
Arbiter Journalist
