LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jamaal Franklin made an off-balance 3-pointer at the buzzer to give top-seeded and No. 18 San Diego State a 65-62 win over No. 8 seed Boise State in the Mountain West Conference tournament opener Thursday.
Franklin, the MWC Player of the Year, lifted the Aztecs (25-6) after they got sloppy in the final minutes against the Broncos (13-17).
The Aztecs squandered an eight-point lead in the final three minutes. Xavier Thames’ turnover against a full-court press set up BSU’s Thomas Bropleh for an inside shot to tie at 62 with 26 seconds left.
The Aztecs called timeout to set up the final shot. Franklin put it up over Bropleh and then fell on his backside as the ball went through.
Chase Tapley scored 20 for the Aztecs, Franklin 19 and Thames 14.
