November 9, 2025

Article By Nick Wade

BOISE, IDAHO – Following one of the most shocking upsets in Boise State basketball history, the Broncos answered in emphatic fashion. One week after falling to Division II Hawai‘i Pacific in a stunning 79-78 home loss that rattled Bronco Nation, Leon Rice’s team came roaring back with a statement win, dismantling Utah Valley 101-77 on the ExtraMile hardwood. The performance was everything Boise State needed — fast-paced, efficient, and emotionally charged — a reminder that despite the early stumble, this is still a team with the firepower to compete for a Mountain West title and an NCAA Tournament berth.

From the opening tip, there was no doubt about Boise State’s intent. The Broncos played with the intensity and sharpness that was absent in their opener, hitting 54.2 percent of their shots from the field and converting at a blistering 45.5 percent clip from beyond the arc. This wasn’t just a return to form — it was a full-scale offensive statement. The 101 points marked the program’s highest offensive output in some time, and it came against a Utah Valley squad that had opened its season with an 80-point blowout victory of its own.

Leading the charge was junior forward Drew Fielder, who earned our Player of the Game honors after posting 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting, pulling down six rebounds, and adding a steal and a block. Fielder’s performance was exactly what the Broncos needed from their frontcourt anchor — efficient scoring, assertive rebounding, and a commanding interior presence. His ability to establish early dominance in the paint opened up the floor for the rest of the roster to flourish. Fielder’s energy and confidence were contagious, especially after the team’s collective disappointment a week earlier.

What stood out most was Boise State’s balance. Five Broncos scored in double figures, and every key rotation player made an impact on both ends. Andrew Meadow put together one of his most complete performances yet with 18 points, two rebounds, two assists, and three steals, showcasing his versatility and knack for making momentum-shifting plays. Javan Buchanan was steady, finishing with 10 points, five rebounds, six assists, and a steal, controlling the tempo and distributing the ball with poise.

Then there were two names that continue to shine early in the season — Spencer Ahrens and Aginaldo “AG” Neto. Both have impressed me tremendously through the first two games, and I’m convinced they’re going to be great Broncos. Ahrens followed up his strong debut with 19 points and four rebounds off the bench, playing with an effortless rhythm and confidence that made him look like a veteran in Rice’s system. He brings energy, size, and shooting touch that perfectly complement Boise State’s offensive flow. Neto, meanwhile, was again solid and reliable, adding 12 points, two assists, and a steal while demonstrating excellent decision-making. His feel for the game and maturity continue to stand out for a young player adapting quickly to the college level.

But beyond the stat lines, this win was about Boise State reclaiming its identity. The defensive energy that was missing against Hawai‘i Pacific returned in full force. The Broncos forced nine steals, converted turnovers into 13 points, and held Utah Valley to just 4-of-19 shooting from three-point range. Every loose ball seemed to belong to Boise State, every rotation was sharp, and the rebounding advantage (32-25) showed a renewed commitment to physicality. Even when Utah Valley found rhythm in the paint, the Broncos’ collective hustle kept the Wolverines from gaining any real momentum.

Rice’s squad also made major strides in efficiency and discipline. After a sloppy season opener marred by late defensive lapses and missed opportunities, the Broncos cut down on turnovers, moved the ball fluidly, and capitalized at the line. They converted 27 of their 34 free throws — a strong 79.4 percent — showing focus and composure down the stretch. That kind of improvement in execution from one game to the next is exactly what top-tier programs display when facing adversity.

Perhaps most importantly, this victory serves as a crucial early-season course correction for Boise State’s non-conference résumé. Every game counts for a program with NCAA Tournament aspirations, especially when metrics like KenPom and the NET rankings weigh efficiency and strength of schedule so heavily. As I’ve said before, this season may very well come down to an automatic bid or bust scenario in the Mountain West. The conference is loaded again, and with limited opportunities for marquee non-league wins, the Broncos need every strong performance they can get. A 1-1 start looks far better when the second game is a statement like this one, and the underlying metrics will certainly reflect that improvement.

The offensive chemistry, too, was something to behold. The Broncos finished with 17 assists on 32 made field goals, indicative of an unselfish approach that kept Utah Valley guessing. Dylan Andrews, the UCLA transfer who led Boise State in the opener, played more of a facilitating role this time around, tallying seven points and two assists while orchestrating the offense with control. When Andrews and Buchanan share the backcourt, the offense flows naturally, and it was clear the team had found its rhythm again.

The crowd at ExtraMile Arena, still reeling from last week’s disappointment, was back in full voice as the game progressed. Every defensive stop and transition bucket seemed to energize both players and fans alike. There was a palpable sense of relief — and maybe even redemption — as the scoreboard crossed the 100-point mark late in the game. For a team that prides itself on toughness and accountability, this was the kind of performance that restores belief and sets a new tone moving forward.

Coach Leon Rice, ever the steady hand, emphasized before the game that early setbacks can define a team only if it allows them to. His players clearly took that message to heart. The renewed defensive urgency, the crisp passing, and the total team effort all spoke to a locker room that responded the right way to adversity. It’s the hallmark of a mature, well-coached program — one that understands that seasons aren’t defined by how you fall, but how you rise.

As Boise State looks ahead, there’s a clear opportunity to build momentum. The Broncos host UTRGV on Tuesday, another winnable non-conference matchup that offers a chance to fine-tune rotations and continue developing rhythm before tougher challenges arrive. The key now is consistency. Boise State can’t afford to regress defensively or let complacency creep back in. The standard they set against Utah Valley must become the baseline moving forward.

If Fielder continues to dominate inside, if Ahrens and Neto keep providing instant offense, and if Meadow and Buchanan sustain their two-way impact, this Boise State team can quickly reassert itself as one of the Mountain West’s top contenders. The pieces are there — depth, shooting, athleticism, and leadership — to turn a shocking early stumble into nothing more than a distant memory.

On a night that could have gone either way for a team searching for its footing, Boise State made a definitive statement: they’re still the Broncos everyone expected them to be. They played like a team that remembered who they are, and if they keep that edge, this bounce-back win against Utah Valley could be the spark that ignites a special season.

Final Score: Boise State 101, Utah Valley 77.

A much-needed statement, a reminder of resilience, and a glimpse of what this team can truly become.