2023-11-16 06:05:56
BOISE, Idaho – Natalie Pasco hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the final two minutes to finish a valiant fourth quarter effort as Boise State defeated UC Riverside 63-55, Wednesday, at ExtraMile Arena.
The Highlanders (0-3) landed the first punch, netting the first five points of the game. The Broncos (3-0) struggled offensively through the opening minutes of the contest, missing their first five shots of the contest. Boise State also committed eight turnovers in the opening quarter, but only trailed 15-13.
Pasco fired off back-to-back 3-pointers to open the second quarter, tying the game at 19. Tatum Thompson added four points in the period, but the Broncos still trailed 30-28 at the halftime break.
The Hilltoppers jumped out on a 9-4 run to start the second half to take a seven-point advantage. Mary Kay Naro led the comeback, cutting the lead to two with an old-fashioned 3-point play with 51 seconds left in the frame. The senior guard scored five points in the quarter as UC Riverside led 42-40 entering the final period.
Boise State took the lead on the first possession of the final quarter off a Mya Hansen 3-pointer. Naro scored a fast break layup on the ensuing possession to extend the Bronco advantage to five. The Highlanders cut the lead back to two with 3:52 remaining, but Hansen drilled her second 3-pointer on the next possession to maintain the 5-point lead.
Pasco extended the lead to eight on a corner 3-pointer with 1:45 left on the clock. After a defensive stop, the sophomore hit another 3-pointer with 45 seconds left to stretch the lead to double digits. Hansen, Naro and Pasco combined to shoot 5-of-5 from the free throw line to seal the game.
Top Broncos
– Natalie Pasco finished with 14 points, shooting 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. The sophomore hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the final two minutes to stretch the Boise State lead to 11.
– Mary Kay Naro recorded 12 points and four assists. Nine of her 12 points came in the second half.
– Mya Hansen scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds. The sophomore shot 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.
– Elodie Lalotte finished with seven points and seven rebounds. The senior added two blocked shots.
– Abby Muse finished with six points, 15 rebounds and six blocked shots.
Notables
– Boise State is 3-0 for the first time since the 2020-21 season.
– The Broncos tied the program record for most blocks in a game, blocking 12 shots total. The squad blocked 11 in the first half, the most in a half in program history.
– Boise State held the Hilltoppers to just two field goals in the fourth quarter.
– Muse blocked six shots, marking the fifth game in her career that she has blocked six or more shots in a game.
– The senior also grabbed 15 boards on the night, the fourth time in her career she has grabbed 15 or more rebounds.
– Mya Hansen recorded a career-high five rebounds.
What’s Next
Boise State will complete its four-game homestand, Monday, with a game against Pepperdine. The contest will tip off at 6:30 p.m. MT in ExtraMile Arena and will be broadcast on the MW Network.
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