BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Chandler Hutchinson scored 21 points and Boise State used a big advantage from 3-point range to take down SMU 71-62 on Wednesday night.
The Broncos (4-3) made seven 3-pointers compared to one by the Mustangs (4-3), who went 1 of 11 from 3-point range.
James Reid drilled four 3s and finished with 18 points, and Justinian Jessup made three 3s and had 11 points for Boise State. The Broncos went 7 of 21 from behind the arc and 14 of 19 from the foul line.
The Broncos held the Mustangs without a field goal for more than four minutes in the first half in turning a one-point deficit into a 28-14 lead that would never be relinquished. Boise State led 44-24 at halftime. The closest SMU came was five points in the final minute.
“That first half - I just am really proud of the way our guys bounced back,” Boise State coach Leon Rice said, referring to losing at Oregon on Monday night. “That’s the best half we played this year for sure.”
The opening half was too much for SMU to overcome. The Mustangs did score the first 12 points of the second half to get back in the game.
“Our effort was tremendous in the second half,” SMU coach Tim Jankovich said. “You can’t feel good about our first half. They were definitely the aggressor. You can’t give up 44 points on someone else’s floor in the first half.”
Hutchinson made 8 of 16 shots from the field and had seven rebounds to go with two assists and two steals.
“I thought Hutchinson was fantastic,” Jankovich said. “We couldn’t guard him, and he was the difference in the game. He’s so athletic and is such a big guard and hard to stay in front of.”
The Mustangs were within 65-59 and 67-62 in the final minute but couldn’t get closer. Boise State squandered a 14-point lead in losing to Oregon on Monday, so Rice was happy to see his team earn a win.
“It was a great finish,” Rice said. “That team we played tonight - they weren’t just going to pack it up. That’s a good team that is going to win a lot of games this year.”
Ben Moore led SMU with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Semi Ojeleye added 15 points, which was hurt by 16 turnovers and 50 percent shooting from the foul line (11 of 22).
TIP-INS
SMU had made at least five 3-pointers in each game this season before making just one, which came in the final minute. … Moore’s 14 rebounds were one shy of a career high.
Boise State: Reid’s 18 points were a career high. He scored 12 points in the first half of 4 of 5 shooting from behind the arc. His previous career high was nine points, set earlier this season. … Hutchinson has led the Broncos in rebounding in all seven games this season. … Forward Nick Duncan went 0 of 5 from 3-point range, marking the first time this season he didn’t make a 3-pointer.
UP NEXT
Boise State plays at Evansville on Dec. 3
SMU hosts Cal State Bakersfield on Dec. 2
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