Boise State Athletics
#MVPMonday: Coleman Shines In Vegas
4/27/2020 1:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
#MVPMonday enters its final week as BroncoSports.com looks back at Boise State's unprecedented run of four-straight Mountain West Tournament titles, and five over the last six seasons (2015, 2017-20).
With five titles, the Broncos share the lead with New Mexico for most in conference history. But, the Broncos' achievement begs extra praise. Boise State has been in the Mountain West for just nine seasons (2011-12 was the Broncos' first Mountain West campaign), and has won its five titles over that short span, while New Mexico is a charter member of the conference, beginning in 1999-2000.
The Broncos' rise to the top of the Mountain West has followed the team's "Family" ethos, as contributions to every title have come from a variety of individuals and been the true "team effort." But only one player can be named the Mountain West Tournament Most Valuable Player.
Our #MVPMonday series concludes with today's entry, as redshirt senior forward A'Shanti Coleman capped one of the finest season-ending runs by a Bronco with the 2020 Mountain West MVP award.
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2020 Mountain West Championship MVP – A'Shanti Coleman
There is little doubt that forward A'Shanti Coleman will go down as one of the most underrated players in Boise State women's basketball history. And her performance not only over the 2019-20 season's final month-plus, but in the Broncos' history-making 2020 Mountain West Tournament title run, solidified her status as one of the breakout stars in program history.
Beginning Jan. 29 at San Jose State, where Coleman posted a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, the San Francisco native rolled through Mountain West opposition. Over the final 12 games of the campaign, Coleman averaged 16.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.50 blocks, shot 55.7 percent from the field, and posted six 20-point performances, including a stretch of five-straight from Feb. 19-March 3.
So, it was stunning to learn, on the day the Mountain West Tournament tipped off, that Coleman had been snubbed by the 10 other conference head coaches and not only wasn't voted to her first All-Mountain West Team, but didn't even garner enough votes to earn honorable mention.
So, over Boise State's 3-0 march to the tournament title, Coleman reminded them of what she could do.
And what she did was average 19.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and shoot 59.1 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from 3-point range, along with a pair of 20-point games.
It started in the quarterfinal against Air Force, where Coleman went 10-for-15 from the field with 23 points. She scored nine-straight points in the pivotal Bronco run of the contest, single-handedly turning a precarious one-point lead into a double-digit cushion at 29-19 in the second quarter. That run from Coleman started an overall 19-2 half-ending run for the Broncos, and with a 39-21 halftime lead, Boise State cruised to the win.
In the semis against Wyoming, Coleman's 20-point effort brought her some personal achievements, in addition to the Bronco win. She became only the third-different player in Bronco history with five-straight 20-point games, and, with 12 points in the first half, she hit the 1,000-point threshold for her career.
She grabbed 12 rebounds to post her fourth double-double of the season, and once again was part of the game's turning point.
With just over four minutes to play, Wyoming's Alba Sanchez Ramos stole a Bronco inbounds pass and streaked downcourt for what appeared to be an uncontested layup, but Christopher, in a full sprint, caught up and swiped the ball, and Wyoming's hopes, away. Seconds later, Christopher would feed Coleman for a bucket that put the Broncos up seven with under four minutes to go, and the lead would never be less than seven the rest of the way.
The next night, Coleman did her part to set the Broncos up for the 80-76 overtime win over Fresno State which gave Boise State a history-making fourth-straight Mountain West Tournament title.
Coleman scored 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting, grabbed six rebounds, and was perfect on two attempts from deep in the win. Although she fouled out of the contest with 1:16 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Broncos, behind the play of point guard Jayde Christopher (10 assists, four points) and shooting guard Jade Loville (20 points, 8-for-16 shooting), outworked the Bulldogs in the extra session to bring home the championship.
With five titles, the Broncos share the lead with New Mexico for most in conference history. But, the Broncos' achievement begs extra praise. Boise State has been in the Mountain West for just nine seasons (2011-12 was the Broncos' first Mountain West campaign), and has won its five titles over that short span, while New Mexico is a charter member of the conference, beginning in 1999-2000.
The Broncos' rise to the top of the Mountain West has followed the team's "Family" ethos, as contributions to every title have come from a variety of individuals and been the true "team effort." But only one player can be named the Mountain West Tournament Most Valuable Player.
Our #MVPMonday series concludes with today's entry, as redshirt senior forward A'Shanti Coleman capped one of the finest season-ending runs by a Bronco with the 2020 Mountain West MVP award.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2020 Mountain West Championship MVP – A'Shanti Coleman
There is little doubt that forward A'Shanti Coleman will go down as one of the most underrated players in Boise State women's basketball history. And her performance not only over the 2019-20 season's final month-plus, but in the Broncos' history-making 2020 Mountain West Tournament title run, solidified her status as one of the breakout stars in program history.
Beginning Jan. 29 at San Jose State, where Coleman posted a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, the San Francisco native rolled through Mountain West opposition. Over the final 12 games of the campaign, Coleman averaged 16.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.50 blocks, shot 55.7 percent from the field, and posted six 20-point performances, including a stretch of five-straight from Feb. 19-March 3.
So, it was stunning to learn, on the day the Mountain West Tournament tipped off, that Coleman had been snubbed by the 10 other conference head coaches and not only wasn't voted to her first All-Mountain West Team, but didn't even garner enough votes to earn honorable mention.
So, over Boise State's 3-0 march to the tournament title, Coleman reminded them of what she could do.
And what she did was average 19.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and shoot 59.1 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from 3-point range, along with a pair of 20-point games.
So proud of A'shanti Coleman. MVP!!! @shantizzzle @BroncoSportsWBB pic.twitter.com/DZd68N7KYd
— Dr. Marlene Tromp (@MarleneTromp) March 5, 2020
It started in the quarterfinal against Air Force, where Coleman went 10-for-15 from the field with 23 points. She scored nine-straight points in the pivotal Bronco run of the contest, single-handedly turning a precarious one-point lead into a double-digit cushion at 29-19 in the second quarter. That run from Coleman started an overall 19-2 half-ending run for the Broncos, and with a 39-21 halftime lead, Boise State cruised to the win.
In the semis against Wyoming, Coleman's 20-point effort brought her some personal achievements, in addition to the Bronco win. She became only the third-different player in Bronco history with five-straight 20-point games, and, with 12 points in the first half, she hit the 1,000-point threshold for her career.
With 12 points in the first half tonight, @shantizzzle now has exactly 1️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ points over her career at Arizona and Boise State!#BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/dqkYLyUkKU
— Boise State WBB (@BroncoSportsWBB) March 4, 2020
She grabbed 12 rebounds to post her fourth double-double of the season, and once again was part of the game's turning point.
With just over four minutes to play, Wyoming's Alba Sanchez Ramos stole a Bronco inbounds pass and streaked downcourt for what appeared to be an uncontested layup, but Christopher, in a full sprint, caught up and swiped the ball, and Wyoming's hopes, away. Seconds later, Christopher would feed Coleman for a bucket that put the Broncos up seven with under four minutes to go, and the lead would never be less than seven the rest of the way.
We've seen plenty of offense on our 2019-20 Top Plays countdown, but defense is #️⃣1️⃣!@jookieee23's hustle to break up a Wyoming fast-break, make the steal, and generate a bucket flipped the momentum back to the Broncos late in the MW semis win over Wyoming!#BleedBlue #ncaaw pic.twitter.com/VldohgkoN8
— Boise State WBB (@BroncoSportsWBB) April 10, 2020
The next night, Coleman did her part to set the Broncos up for the 80-76 overtime win over Fresno State which gave Boise State a history-making fourth-straight Mountain West Tournament title.
Coleman scored 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting, grabbed six rebounds, and was perfect on two attempts from deep in the win. Although she fouled out of the contest with 1:16 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Broncos, behind the play of point guard Jayde Christopher (10 assists, four points) and shooting guard Jade Loville (20 points, 8-for-16 shooting), outworked the Bulldogs in the extra session to bring home the championship.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's BasketballWBB | Highlights vs. Utah State
Monday, March 02
WBB | Highlights at San Jose State
Sunday, February 22
WBB | Highlights vs. Air Force
Thursday, February 19
WBB | Highlights at Wyoming
Sunday, February 15
