"We got through a tough game that we had to have," Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said. "And the shakeup helped."

A crowd of 4,589 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the 'Bows improve to 14-7, including 12-1 at home, and 6-7 in the Western Athletic Conference. The Broncos dropped to 10-15 overall and 4-10 in the WAC.

Wallace said he "opened up" every position this week, and several 'Bows responded with solid performances last night.

"Little Matt" Gibson came up big with 21 points, and Vaidotas Peciukas scored a career-high 15 off the bench to lead the 'Bows.

Sophomore guard Bobby Nash, who started in place of 7-foot center Chris Botez, added 12 points. Jake Sottos had 11 points and seven assists.

Jeff Blackett recorded a triple-eight: eight points, eight rebounds, eight assists.

"They can put about six or seven guys who can shoot the basketball out there and when they're all on, they're tough to play," Boise State head coach Greg Graham said.

Julian Sensley added nine points, but was helped off the court late in the game with what was diagnosed as a sprained right knee. He fell awkwardly after he was fouled while completing a highlight-reel dunk.

X-rays were negative, and Wallace said Sensley's status "depends on how tough he is."

Sensley moved from his usual small forward position to power forward last night. Nash started at small forward, and shared playing time with Peciukas.

"If there's one person who stepped it up the most, it's (Peciukas)," Wallace said.

Hawai'i's Julian Sensley, right, and Boise State's Jason Ellis hustle for a loose ball. Sensley injured his right knee late in the game.

"I don't know what it is, but I'll take it," Peciukas said. "They run up and down all the time, and that's what I like to do."

Gibson said Peciukas' success had a lot to do with Boise State's defense: "They try to jump out there in the (passing) lanes. When they do that, (Peciukas) is real good about cutting back door. His off the ball movement is why he gets a lot of points."

The 'Bows ran their flex-motion well last night, passing for a season-high 24 assists while shooting 55.8 percent from the field.

The Hawai'i players also noted that Wallace wasn't yelling as much during practice this week, and he challenged them to motivate themselves.

"I told all my coaches to be positive and work in a different light," Wallace said. "We all made a pact that we're going to try this thing out and be a mature team and grow ... and that's hard for me as well."

Still, the 'Bows had to rally against the fast-paced Broncos.

Peciukas scored 11 in the first half, and Hawai'i led by as many as 12 early in the game. But the Broncos closed the half with a stunning 11-0 run to take a 31-30 lead at intermission.

Boise State pushed the lead up to four before the 'Bows responded by shooting 8 for 8 from the field to open the second half.

Hawai'i took a 48-43 lead with 14:44 remaining and never lost the lead after that. Gibson scored 14 in the second half.

The game remained close, however, until Nash scored six consecutive points to give Hawai'i a 72-62 lead with 2:02 remaining. In the second half, Hawai'i shot 70.8 percent from the field, and out-rebounded the Broncos 17-11.

Coby Karl led the Broncos with 19 points, and Jermaine Blackburn added 16.

Hawai'i will host Milwaukee-Wisconsin on Saturday in an ESPN Bracket Buster game.