In an electrifying performance, Nique Clifford propelled Colorado State to an 83-73 victory over Boise State in their final regular-season clash of the Mountain West Conference on Friday night. Clifford achieved a personal best with 36 points, showing an impressive shooting accuracy by hitting 13 of 18 shots, including 4-for-7 from beyond the arc, and a flawless 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. With this win, the Rams completed their season with a 22-9 overall record and 16-4 in the conference, earning them the No. 2 seed position, just behind New Mexico. Consequently, Colorado State secures a bye straight into the Thursday quarterfinals.
Supporting Clifford’s amazing performance, Kyan Evans contributed 14 points, while Jalen Lake added 11, as the Rams extended their streak to seven consecutive wins. On the other end, the Broncos, who also stand at 22-9 overall but 14-6 in the conference, were spearheaded by Andrew Meadow. He delivered 22 points alongside six rebounds. Alvaro Cardenas also shined with 18 points, six rebounds, and eight assists. Additionally, Tyson Degenhart contributed 15 points and nearly clinched a double-double with nine rebounds. Despite these efforts, the Broncos saw the end of their five-game winning run.
At halftime, both teams were locked in a tight contest with a score of 34-all, with Clifford already making a significant impact with 13 points. The Rams’ cohesive performance in the second half ultimately led them to secure their hard-fought victory, setting the stage for an exciting postseason.