Upstart Wildcats continue Broncos’ NCAA tourney misery

“All joy. No relief. It’s really hard to get here, especially when you play in the Big Ten,” coach Chris Collins said. “When you get to this point now, it’s so rewarding and so joyful as a coach to see these guys celebrating and to be on the big stage like that playing well, finding a way to win and advance in the NCAA tournament.”

Northwestern never trailed in a game that was close most of the way and advanced to play UCLA in the second round of the West Region.

The 10th-seeded Broncos (24-10) are still searching for their first tournament win, losing their opener for the ninth time in as many tries. Max Rice scored 17 points to lead Boise State and Naje Smith added 14.

“I don’t think ­anyone expected us to be here,” Rice said. “I still think it was an amazing season. Obviously, we wanted to get our first win in the tournament. But they played good tonight. They played better than us tonight and made a bunch of big shots. But that doesn’t take away from what we’ve done this year.”

Chase Audige added 20 points for the Wildcats and Ty Berry scored 13, including hitting three 3-pointers.

The Bulldogs fell behind by 10 points early but fought back to tie the game at 40 early in the second half when Rice hit his second 3 of the half.

The game was tight most of the way before Northwestern finally built the lead back to 10 on a tip-in by Brooks Barnhizer with 3:15 to go.

“We didn’t break down,” Audige said. “We weren’t screaming. We might have screamed at each other, but it was a good type of like, ‘C’mon, let’s be better.’ I think every single time we just executed, whether we missed a shot or made it, we got a shot we wanted or liked.”

TOUGH IT OUT — Broncos guard Marcus Shaver Jr. had to be helped off the court after going down with an apparent leg injury late in the first half. He came out of locker room late after halftime and returned to the game.

“He’s courageous, he’s tough, and he didn’t want to let these guys down, us down,” coach Leon Rice said. “It’s just unfortunate.”

BIG PICTURE — With four returning starters from last year’s tournament team, including three seniors, the Broncos hoped this year’s team could be the one finally to break through. They fell to 0-4 in the tournament under Rice.

BOISE ST. (24-10)

Degenhart 4-8 0-2 8, N.Smith 5-8 3-6 14, Agbo 5-13 0-0 12, M.Rice 6-19 2-2 17, Shaver 4-12 4-4 12, Whiting 0-3 0-0 0, Milner 2-2 0-0 4. Totals 26-65 9-14 67.

NORTHWESTERN (22-11)

Beran 1-5 0-0 3, Nicholson 2-2 1-1 5, Audige 5-11 7-8 20, Berry 5-8 0-1 13, Buie 8-14 5-6 22, Barnhizer 4-10 2-2 10, Verhoeven 0-2 0-0 0, Martinelli 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 26-53 15-18 75.

Halftime: Northwestern, 38-32. 3-Point Goals: Boise St. 6-23 (M.Rice 3-10, Agbo 2-7, N.Smith 1-2, Shaver 0-1, Whiting 0-1, Degenhart 0-2), Northwestern 8-21 (Berry 3-5, Audige 3-8, Beran 1-2, Buie 1-4, Barnhizer 0-2). Rebounds: Boise St. 38 (N.Smith 11), Northwestern 30 (Audige, Berry 6). Assists: Boise St. 15 (M.Rice, Shaver 4), Northwestern 9 (Buie 5). Total Fouls: Boise St. 17, Northwestern 16.