Northwestern beats Boise State 75-67 in March Madness

By JOSH DUBOW The Associated Press

Northwestern guard Boo Buie (0) shoots over Boise State guard Jace Whiting during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, March 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Randall Benton]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Boo Buie scored 22 points to lead Northwestern to a win in the school’s second appearance ever in the NCAA Tournament, 75-67 over Boise State. The seventh-seeded Wildcats previously made it to the Big Dance in 2017, and just like that time, they made sure they wouldn’t be one-and-done. Northwestern never trailed in a game that was close most of the way and advanced to play either UCLA or UNC Asheville in the second round of the West Region. The 10th-seeded Broncos are still searching for their first tournament win, losing their opener for the ninth time in as many tries. Max Rice scored 17 points to lead Boise State and Naje Smith added 14.

Northwestern guard Boo Buie (0) passes the ball to Northwestern forward Tydus Verhoeven (10) past Boise State center Lukas Milner (25) during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, March 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Randall Benton

Boise State guard Marcus Shaver Jr. (10) is looked over after being injured in the first half of a first-round college basketball game against Northwestern in the NCAA Tournament in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, March 16, 2023. (AP Photo/José Luis Villegas)

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/José Luis Villegas

Northwestern guard Chase Audige (1) celebrates his team's win following a first-round college basketball game against Boise State in the NCAA Tournament in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, March 16, 2023. Northwestern won 75-67. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Randall Benton