Friday, March 14th, 8:00 p.m. (et).

FACTS & STATS: Site: Pan American Center (13,071) -- Las Cruces, New Mexico. Television: ESPN Regional. Home Record: BSU 11-5, USU 17-0. Away Record: BSU 11-3, USU 5-8. Neutral Record: BSU 1-0, USU 2-1. Conference Record: BSU 12-4, USU 12-4. Series Record: Utah State leads, 20-6.

GAME NOTES: The Boise State Broncos and the Utah State Aggies face off against each other for the second time in the last eight days when they hit the floor at the Pan American Center in the semifinals of the 25th annual Western Athletic Conference Tournament. Both teams finished the regular season with 12-4 conference records, but after the tie-breakers were sorted out USU was named the top seed in the tourney and the Broncos dropped to fourth. Last night, the Aggies took on San Jose State and crushed the Spartans in an 85-65 decision, while BSU had some trouble shaking off a pesky Hawaii squad in an 80-74 final. Utah State is trying to get back to the championship game for the third year in a row and win the event for the very first time, while the Broncos lost in their only appearance in the title match back in 2005 versus UTEP. Utah State won both regular-season meetings with the Broncos this year, taking an 82-78 decision in Logan and then following that with an 88-69 triumph at Taco Bell Arena on March 6th. The winner of this meeting will play for the tournament title on Saturday night versus the winner of the New Mexico State/Nevada contest.

Boise State knocked down not only 56.8 percent from the field on Thursday, the team also converted a stellar 9-of-14 beyond the arc versus Hawaii, which made it a little easier for the Broncos to overcome an unsightly 22 turnovers. Reggie Larry stepped up with team-highs of 26 points and nine rebounds in the win, followed by Tyler Tiedeman and Matt Nelson with 14 and 10 points, respectively. Having some problems handling the ball was Anthony Thomas who accounted for eight turnovers on the day. An all-conference performer this season, Larry has been a huge power in the paint for the Broncos, averaging a team-high 19.1 ppg and a league-best 9.2 rpg on the season. Although he may not be encouraged to move out to the perimeter, Larry is capable of hitting his three-pointers at a 42.5 percent clip. Matt Nelson adds 15.6 ppg and Tiedeman 13.9 ppg to the league's top scoring offense (81.0 ppg).

Except for Kris Clark who was held scoreless in 26 minutes of action on Thursday, every starter for the Aggies hit for double figures in the win over San Jose State, beginning with WAC Player of the Year Jaycee Carroll who dropped in 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the floor and 4-of-6 beyond the arc. Tyler Newbold came close to perfect with his 7-of-8 from the field and 5- of-6 shooting out on the perimeter for his 19 points. Tai Wesley and Gary Wilkinson both accounted for 15 points and nine rebounds, the former posting six blocked shots as well. One of the most precise shooters in the nation, Carroll leads the WAC in scoring with his 22.7 ppg, based on an incredible 50.7 percent accuracy beyond the arc and 92.3 percent at the free-throw line, not to mention 53.8 percent from the floor overall. Thanks to the efforts of Carroll, the Aggies are converting their field goals at a 51.6 percent clip this season.

As long as Utah State can keep anyone other than Larry and Nelson from hurting it tonight, the Aggies should be in line for the victory, especially if Carroll has anything to say about it.

Predicted Outcome

Utah State 84, Boise State 78