The Aztecs (21-9) swept the regular-season series against Boise State (23-9), but couldn’t win a third time. And probably didn’t deserve to after an abysmal performance on the boards in their fifth game without 7-foot Magoon Gwath, the Mountain West Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

They had to face down No. 1 UNLV, which they did Monday, in a 71-59 semifinal win, snapping the Rebels’ streak of three straight tournament championships. Then came No. 2 Wyoming Wednesday. And, count ’em,