Boise State Basketball: Shorthanded Broncos Still Deliver in Win over Wyoming

Boise State (13-2, 1-0 MWC) delivered Wyoming (13-1, 0-1 MWC) their first loss of the season on Wednesday night in Laramie, Wyo.

The Cowboys were ranked No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches Poll coming into the game, but will certainly fall from the rankings after the loss. Meanwhile the Broncos are now second behind the No. 25-ranked team in the AP poll, New Mexico in the Mountain West Conference. The Lobos beat UNLV on Wednesday to move to 14-2 overall and 1-0 in the MWC.

The Broncos Were Shorthanded

There are a couple of things that make this win so impressive for head coach Leon Rice and his young team. First, it was in Wyoming, which is a tough place to play. But, secondly, and probably most impressive, Boise State had four players not with the team due to unspecified team rules violations, according to The Associated Press (via ESPN).

Among those players were backups Michael Thompson, Kenny Buckner and Darrious Hamilton. However, among the list of missing talent was also one of the Broncos best players, Derrick Marks. Still, shorthanded or not, Boise State came away with the victory.

The win was a great one for Boise, and it was one that ended in grand fashion. Junior guard Jeff Elorriaga nailed a three-pointer as time expired to lift the Broncos over the Cowboys.

On the season, Boise State has now defeated No. 25 Wyoming, an unbeaten at the time LSU team and No. 11 Creighton on their home court. Up next for the Broncos will be the No. 25 New Mexico Lobos in Boise on Wednesday, January 16.