Aztecs Can't Overcome Rough First Half

BOISE, Idaho - Derrick Marks scored 27 points, Anthony Drmic finished with 23 and Boise State led from start to finish Saturday in a 69-65 victory over San Diego State.

Marks scored 22 of his 27 in the second half and the Broncos (21-9, 9-7 Mountain West) held off a comeback attempt by the San Diego State to earn a split of the season series.

The teams will play Wednesday in a conference tournament quarterfinal in Las Vegas.

Marks grabbed nine rebounds and blocked a San Diego State layup attempt in the final minute to help Boise State hang for the victory.

The Aztecs, which trailed by as many as 15 points in the second half, had pulled within 66-63 with 26 seconds left on a 3-pointer by Chase Tapley, who had 17.

Xavier Thames led San Diego State (21-9, 9-7) with 18 points while Jamaal Franklin added 15 points and 13 rebounds.