Boise State Defeats San Diego State 86-77

Broncos hand Aztecs their first conference loss of the season

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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In a key Mountain West Conference matchup, the Boise State Broncos defeated the San Diego State Aztecs by a score of 86-77. The win moves Boise State to 22-7 overall and 13-4 in conference play, while handing San Diego State their first conference loss of the season.

Why it matters

This game had major implications for the Mountain West Conference standings, as San Diego State had been undefeated in conference play prior to this loss. Boise State's victory puts them in strong position to potentially earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, while San Diego State will need to rebound to maintain their standing as one of the top teams in the league.

The details

Boise State was led by junior guard Marcus Shaver Jr., who scored a game-high 24 points. Senior forward Mladen Armus added a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. For San Diego State, senior guard Matt Bradley scored a team-high 21 points in the losing effort.

  • The game was played on March 3, 2026.

The players

Marcus Shaver Jr.

A junior guard for the Boise State Broncos who scored a game-high 24 points in the win.

Mladen Armus

A senior forward for the Boise State Broncos who recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Matt Bradley

A senior guard for the San Diego State Aztecs who scored a team-high 21 points in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“Our guys really battled tonight against a tough San Diego State team. I'm proud of the effort and execution we showed to get this important conference win.”

— Leon Rice, Head Coach, Boise State Broncos (wn.com)

“We just couldn't get enough stops down the stretch. Boise State made the plays they needed to win the game. We'll need to regroup and get ready for our next challenge.”

— Brian Dutcher, Head Coach, San Diego State Aztecs (wn.com)

What’s next

Boise State will look to build on this win as they continue their push for an NCAA Tournament berth, while San Diego State will aim to bounce back in their next conference game.

The takeaway

This hard-fought victory for Boise State over the previously undefeated Aztecs demonstrates the Broncos' ability to compete with the Mountain West's elite teams and keeps them firmly in the hunt for a potential at-large NCAA Tournament bid.