Anthony Thomas wasn't in the starting lineup Saturday in Boise State's first home game of the season.

But the senior point guard was on the court when it counted and his play helped spark a 79-73 win over North Texas in front of 2,650 fans at Taco Bell Arena.

Thomas hit a 3-pointer that gave the Broncos (4-2 overall) the lead for good and then assisted teammate Reggie Arnold on another trey that gave coach Greg Graham's team the cushion to win its home opener for the seventh year in a row.

Kurt Cunningham and Arnold scored 17 points, while Ike Okoye added 13 and Paul Noonan chipped in 11 for the Broncos.

"We might even be a better team with him coming off the bench," said Cunningham, who also grabbed eight rebounds. "He played huge tonight. He could have easily put his head down because he was coming off of the bench but he didn't. He came in and played a big game, and that's what we needed him to do."

Thomas, who scored eight points and had three assists, two turnovers and two steals, said not starting isn't a big deal.

"I'm not worried about that. I'm just worried about getting myself to play better," Thomas said. "My main thing was I just wanted to be a spark plug."

Thomas' 3-pointer was in the middle of a 17-5 run that turned a 58-53 deficit into a 70-62 lead for Boise State.

"We had a stretch in there where we kind of shut them down, and I just thought Anthony spearheaded our defense in that stretch and made some big plays," Graham said. "That run changed the whole swing of the game."

Thomas said he made a conscious effort to play better defense. It was crucial because North Texas guard Josh White (23 points) had been killing the Broncos up until that point.

"I think the reason the last couple games that I was playing bad was I got away from what I do best and that's playing defense," said Thomas, who was a member of the WAC's all-defensive team last season. "This game I focused more on defense and I think that helps us a team a lot."

Thomas wasn't the only BSU player getting it done on the defensive end. The Broncos blocked nine shots - three by Okoye and two by Daequon Montreal - and also had eight steals and forced 18 North Texas turnovers.

"We knew the key was going to be stops," Cunningham said. "Coach has told us all year that what's going to win the games this year is defense."

Boise State finished off the Mean Green by making 5-of-6 free throws in the final 2Ý minutes. Overall, BSU made 16-of-22 from the line. The Broncos also went 7-of-11 from 3-point range and outrebounded North Texas by a 37-35 margin.

Nick Jezierny: 377-6420