BOISE, Idaho — Matt Nelson scored 21 points, Matt Bauscher and Reggie Larry each added 15 as Boise State defeated San Jose State, 78-63, last night in the Western Athletic Conference opener for both schools.

Boise State (10-3, 1-0 WAC) shot 61 percent and had to withstand a San Jose State charge that brought the Spartans from a 13-point halftime deficit to within one midway through the second half.

San Jose State (6-6, 0-1) was led by Justin Graham's 18 points, hitting 6 of 7 shots. Tim Pierce scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half.

After shooting only 37 percent in the first half and falling behind 38-25 at the break, the Spartans found some offense to pull within 56-55 on Chris Oakes' basket with 9:51 left. But that was as close as San Jose State would get as Nelson scored to trigger a 16-4 Boise State run to push the lead back to 13.

Tyler Tiedeman added 13 points and eight assists, and Nelson also grabbed 11 rebounds for Boise State.

The Broncos won for the ninth time in 10 games, including Saturday's 73-70 win over then-No. 20 BYU.

New Mexico State 78, Idaho 68: Justin Hawkins scored 18 points last night to lead the Aggies (7-9) over the Vandals (3-9) in the WAC opener for both teams at Moscow, Idaho. Jonathan Gibson added 16 points for the Aggies. Mike Hall led the Vandals with 15 points, while Michael Crowell and Clyde Johnson scored 11 and 10, respectively. New Mexico State led 44-41 at intermission.

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GRAND CANYON 73, HAWAI'I PACIFIC 68: Brandon Dempster scored 16 points, Ruday Bogan added 14 and the host Antelopes (6-2) held off the Sea Warriors (3-7) at Phoenix, Ariz., in the Pacific West Conference opener for both. Jason Curtis scored 20 points and Rishi Kakad added 11 for the Sea Warriors.

BYU-HAWAI'I 67, NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR 65: The Seasiders (6-2) defeated the Argonauts (6-2) in the PacWest opener for both at Belmont, Calif. Details and statistics were unavailable.

PACWEST WOMEN

HAWAI'I HILO 80, DIXIE COLLEGE 73: Samantha Nordstrom scored points, Jamie Mattos 15, Jessica Hanato 12 and Sheila Azevedo and Nesha Kimitette each had 10, helping the host Vulcans (1-7) hold off the Rebels (4-6) at the Hilo civic on the Big Island for their first victory of the season. It was the Pacific West Conference opener for both.

GRAND CANYON 79, HAWAI'I PACIFIC 46: Rosalyn Nelson poured in 20 points to lead three teammates in double figures and the host Antelopes (5-7) raced to a 30-16 halftime lead and never looked back in routing the Sea Warriors (0-10) at Phoenix, Ariz., in the PacWest opener for both. Ashley Jenkins scored 21 points to lead HPU.

BYU-HAWAI'I 67, NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR 65: The Seasiders (3-7) opened PacWest play by holding off the Argonauts (4-5) in the PacWest opener for both at Belmont, Calif. Details and statistics were unavailable.

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