Boise State defeats Montana State 58-56 Eds: APNewsNow. Boise State 58, Montana State 56.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) Kurt Cunningham scored 14 points Wednesday night to lead Boise State to a 58-56 victory over Montana State.

Cunningham hit two free throws with 4:48 remaining to put Boise State (8-4) ahead to stay.

Bobby Howard and Erik Rush scored 14 apiece to pace Montana State (7-5).

Montana State trailed by 18 points with 17 minutes remaining before going on a 21-2 run to take a 52-51 lead on Cody Anderson's layup and free throw with 7:11 left.

Boise State closed the first half with a 24-2 run to take a 41-27 halftime lead. The Broncos scored the first three points of the second half to make it a 27-2 run before Rush scored on a dunk.

Montana State made 10-of-14 field-goal attempts in building a 25-17 advantage, but was just 1-of-16 the rest of the half.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 12-23-09 2216CST | save this article / add to your favorites list