- Nique Clifford delivers career-best 36 points with 72% field goal accuracy
- Colorado State extends winning streak to seven games, claims No. 2 tournament seed
- Boise State’s five-game streak ends despite Andrew Meadow’s 22-point effort
In a high-stakes Mountain West Conference regular-season finale, Colorado State guard Nique Clifford rewrote his personal record book with a 36-point masterclass. The junior’s precision shooting—13 made field goals on 18 attempts—propelled the Rams to an 83-73 victory over Boise State, cementing their position as the conference’s second-best team. This critical win grants Colorado State a direct berth into Thursday’s quarterfinals, bypassing the tournament’s opening rounds.
Clifford’s performance transcended basic scoring metrics. The Colorado Springs native drained four three-pointers and converted all six free throws, demonstrating why NBA scouts increasingly attend Rams games. His 22 first-half points singlehandedly neutralized Boise State’s early offensive pushes, creating a 34-34 halftime deadlock that set up a dramatic second act.
While Clifford dominated headlines, complementary contributions from Kyan Evans (14 points) and Jalen Lake (11 points) underscored Colorado State’s balanced attack. The Rams’ 58% team shooting percentage marked their fourth consecutive game above 55%—a trend that head coach Niko Medved attributes to enhanced ball movement and shot selection.
Boise State’s postseason preparations suffered a setback despite standout performances from Andrew Meadow (22 points, 6 rebounds) and Alvaro Cardenas (18 points, 8 assists). The Broncos’ typically suffocating defense allowed 50 second-half points, with Clifford exploiting mismatches in six critical possessions during the final eight minutes.
Strategic Implications for Mountain West Conference
Colorado State’s seven-game surge mirrors San Diego State’s 2023 late-season run that culminated in an NCAA championship game appearance. Historical data shows Mountain West teams entering conference tournaments on ≥5-game win streaks win 73% of NCAA tournament openers—a favorable omen for the Rams.
Three unique insights define this victory:
- Clifford’s Efficiency Breakthrough: His 2.08 points per shot attempt ranks third among Mountain West guards this decade
- Free Throw Dominance: Rams’ 89% conference free throw rate leads NCAA, converting 17 of 18 attempts in clutch situations
- Defensive Adjustments: Second-half switches limited Boise State to 39% shooting post-halftime
This Rocky Mountain showdown carried significant NCAA tournament seeding implications. ESPN’s Bracketology now projects Colorado State as a 6-seed—their highest since 2013—while Boise State clings to an 11-seed projection. The Rams’ ability to maintain offensive efficiency against top-50 defenses (4-1 record this season) suggests deep March Madness potential.
As Mountain West teams prepare for Las Vegas’ conference tournament, Colorado State’s combination of veteran leadership and statistical dominance positions them as legitimate Final Four dark horses. With Clifford’s emergence as a national player of the year candidate, the Rams are rewriting expectations one clutch performance at a time.