Broncos roll over Aggies 81-63 in WAC semifinals

By John Marshall

Associated Press

Published: Saturday, March 12 2011 12:20 a.m. MST

Boise State's La'Shard Anderson shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against New Mexico State in the Western Athletic Conference tournament semifinals Friday, March 11, 2011, in Las Vegas.

Isaac Brekken, Associated Press

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Summary

La'Shard Anderson and Ryan Watkins scored 16 points each, and Boise State dominated the second half to rout New Mexico State 81-63 Friday night and reach the Western Athletic Conference championship game.

LAS VEGAS — La'Shard Anderson and Ryan Watkins scored 16 points each, and Boise State dominated the second half to rout New Mexico State 81-63 Friday night and reach the Western Athletic Conference championship game.

Second-seeded Boise State (20-11) used its defense to create scoring opportunities in the first half, then hit a slew of 3-pointers in succession in the second to run away from the defending tournament champions.

Playing with their highest seeding since joining the WAC in 2001-02, the Broncos ran their winning streak to eight games — longest since 1991-92 — and earned a trip to their third title game, against No. 23 Utah State on Saturday.

New Mexico State (16-17) kept within reach despite a rash of turnovers in the first half, but had nothing left in the second half to keep up with the WAC's highest-scoring team. Tyrone Watson led the Aggies with 15 points.

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