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Logan • Utah State's appearance on late-night national television Tuesday turned into a horror show.
Mikey Thompson scored 17 points and Boise State broke open a close game midway through the second half during what became a cruise-control 76-61 victory over the Aggies at the stunned Spectrum.
Utah State committed 16 turnovers, missed 16 of its 22 three-point shots and allowed 45 points in the second half, when the Broncos seized control and coasted to their fifth straight win.
Boise improved to 11-4 overall and 2-0 in the Mountain West Conference. The Aggies slipped to 9-6 and 1-2.
"It's tough," said Jalen Moore, who led USU with 18 points. "… They shot a good percentage in the second half. I thought our defense slipped a little bit. I think that's why they were able to run away with the win."
Utah State, coming off a 70-67 home loss to San Diego State, started quickly against Boise. Chris Smith scored four points in the opening three minutes and the Aggies built a quick 8-2 lead.
Utah State still owned a 10-5 advantage when the Broncos found a little rhythm. Chandler Hutchison started a 13-3 run by driving down the lane for a dunk.
With the Aggies converting only two of seven possession during the four-minute stretch, Boise grabbed its first lead when Montigo Alford scored with 10:50 left in the half to make it 16-15.
Boise State used a turnover-plagued stretch by Utah State to open a 31-26 lead after back-up center Zach Haney buried a corner three-pointer. It looked like the Aggies were close to losing contact, but Smith's offensive rebound after Moore missed a three-pointer kept Utah State's next possession alive. Darius Perkins made it count when he buried a three — his only basket of the game — to make it 31-29 at halftime.
Moore scored 12 points at the half, but none in the final 9:22. James Webb II scored nine points to lead the Broncos, who shot 47.8 percent but committed 12 turnovers
"They do a good job of spreading you out," USU coach Tim Duryea said. "… That opens up a lot of driving lanes and puts a lot of pressure on your guards to be solid on the ball and solid against the drive."
On the opening possession of the second half, Lew Evans gave Utah State a 32-31 lead with a three-pointer. The Aggies had a chance to increase their advantage too, after Perkins picked off a Boise pass. But he missed a layup and the Broncos went on a 16-9 run.
It was 47-41 before Utah State scored five points on one trip down the floor.
In one stretch, Boise State scored 18 points from 10 possessions and pulled away to a 62-50 lead on Hutchison's dunk with eight minutes remaining.