GAME NOTES: Looking to extend a five-game win streak, the Boise State Broncos will clash with the Houston Cougars in the first round of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Bowl at Orleans Arena Monday night.

Houston comes into this contest with Boise State a bit wounded, having lost back-to-back games to Arkansas-Pine Bluff (61-56) and South Carolina State (71-63) in the regional rounds of the Las Vegas Classic. The Cougars are 5-3 on the season.

Boise State easily took down Southern Utah (79-60) and set a school record for fewest points scored by an opponent in a Saturday win over Abilene Christian (77-33) in the tournament's regional round. Boise State is 9-2 entering this game with Houston.

This meeting between Houston and Boise State will be the first ever on the basketball court.

Houston just didn't show up offensively against South Carolina State, as the Cougars shot 33.3 percent from the floor in the first half which allowed the Bulldogs to take a 32-27 lead into halftime. The Cougars finished the day connecting on 31.3 percent shooting, including going 8-of-33 from 3-point range. Danrad Knowles had a strong showing of 22 points and 11 rebounds in 36 minutes for the double-double, which led the team in both categories. L.J. Rose poured in 14 points, and Jherrod Stiggers added 12 points before fouling out in the loss.

Houston's scoring defense hasn't really been up to par this season, as the Cougars allow opponents to score 67.5 ppg on 39.5 percent shooting. Houston, meanwhile, is netting 69.6 ppg - a respectable total - an effort led by Stiggers and his 16.1 ppg. Devonta Pollard checks in with 12.4 ppg and a team- best 7.9 rpg (though LeRon Barnes owns a 7.8 rpg mark), and Eric Weary Jr. rounds out the trio of double-digit scorers for the Cougars at 11.5 ppg. Stiggers also leads the team in assists, having dished out 23 helpers but against 23 turnovers.

There was simply nothing Abilene Christian could do to prevent Boise State from scoring on Saturday night, as the Broncos connected on 59.6 percent of their shots in the game while the Wildcats could only make 20 percent from the floor in the team's 33-point effort. It was the lowest point total Boise State has ever allowed an opponent to score in history. Derrick Marks netted 17 points to lead the team, while James Webb III chipped in with 14 points and eight rebounds. Joe Hanstad came off the bench to score 10 in 16 minutes of action in the lopsided victory.

Offensively, the Broncos have been very strong all season long, as they come into this matchup with Houston averaging 75.5 ppg. That doesn't bode well for the Cougars, who have shown they have trouble containing strong offensive pressure. Marks went into the game against Abilene Christian netting 17.0 ppg, which he duplicated against the Wildcats with another 17-point effort. Anthony Drmic (15.0 ppg) is out against Houston with a sore lower back. Forward Nick Duncan will miss the game as well with a sprained right ankle.

The Broncos are ailing a bit with some tough injuries, but the way they performed against Abilene Christian on Saturday without either Drmic or Duncan still shows positive signs moving forward. The Cougars should be overwhelmed offensively by Boise State, especially if they couldn't handle either UAPB or South Carolina State.