La’Shard Anderson’s put-back as time ran out gave visiting Boise State a 78-76 overtime win over UCSB in a ESPN Bracketbusters game on Saturday night at the Thunderdome
Anderson’s put-back came just 8.5 seconds after UCSB (14-11) tied the score on a long three-point basket by Orlando Johnson. The Broncos’ Westley Perryman missed a three-pointer from the left corner to set-up the follow by Anderson.
Johnson, who finished with a game-high 25 points, tied the score with 6.5 seconds to play in regulation with a pair of free throws, sending the game into overtime.
“I thought we played well tonight,” said Gaucho assistant coach Matt Stock. “We held them to 33-percent shooting, outbrebounded them and made some big plays to get back in the game. We could have hung our heads a few times, but we didn’t.”
Stock was speaking in place of head coach Bob Williams who was suffering from the flu and left the Thunderdome soon after the end of the game.
While Anderson made just 4-of-13 shots from the field, he was a thorn in UCSB’s side all night. The point guard had 18 points, nine assists, five rebounds, four steals and a pair of blocked shots. His defensive pressure was also a key.
“He (Anderson) was pretty crafty with the ball when he got into the paint,” said Johnson. “He also has quick hands and kind of disrupted us at time.”
After Boise State scored the first two points of the overtime, the Gauchos the next five to take a 69-66 lead with 3:22 to play. Following a lay-up by Anderson to shave the lead to 69-68, Will Brew made a three-pointer from the right corner to give his team a 72-68 lead.
The Broncos’ Paul Noonan, who finished with a team-high 20 points, made a pair of free throws to make it 72-70 and then after a UCSB turnover, Anderson made two more to tie the score at 72 with 1:21 remaining. Johnson was fouled driving to the basket but could make just one out of two free throws to put the Gauchos on top, 73-72 with 1:10 left.
Another driving lay-up by Anderson put Boise State back up 74-73 with 53 seconds to play. Johnson drove to basket again for Santa Barbara, but missed a tough lay-up. James Nunnally, who scored 21 points, collected the rebound and was fouled on the follow. However, he missed a pair of free throws with 36 seconds to play and the Broncos got the rebound.
Noonan was fouled by Brew with 18 seconds to play. He made two free throws to push The Broncos’ lead to 76-73 and set the stage for the dramatic finish.
While Boise State (15-11) made just 21-63 shots, 33.3%, they spent a good portion of the night at the free throw line as they went 31-of-39. UCSB had its share of free throws as well going 26-of-33.
Johnson added nine rebounds and three blocked shots for the Gauchos while Nunnally had six rebounds. Jaimé Serna had his best game since returning from a groin injury as he had 10 points, seven rebounds, three blocked shots and three assists.
Daequon Montreal had 19 points and eight rebounds for Boise State.
UCSB returns to Big West play on Thursday, Feb. 24 when it travels to Cal State Northridge for a 7:00 p.m. game against the Matadors. The Gauchos play their final home game on Saturday, Mar. 5 when they host Cal Poly in a renewal of the Blue-Green Rivalry Series.
