This game marked the first of four quarterfinals, and it did not disappoint. Boise State was looking to exorcise their demons in the Mountain West tournament. Nevada hoped to pull off a huge upset and extend any chances of getting an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
No one was able to jump out to a sizable advantage in the opening minutes as both offenses looked to settle in. Grant Sherfield and Desmond Cambridge Jr. combined for 12 of Nevada’s first 15 points as the Wolfpack started hot from the field. Warren Washington helped propel Nevada to an eight point lead with 9:46 to go, the largest margin to that point.