Broncos Top Aggies to Advance to Quarterfinals

Sunday, March 5

Las Vegas, Nev.

8 p.m. MT

Boise State

17-15,11-7Mountain West

Utah State

4-26,1-17Mountain West

Utah St.

Boise St.

Photo by: Tyler McFarland

3/6/2023 12:01:00 AM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

LAS VEGAS – Mya Hansen scored 20 points to lead Boise State past Utah State 66-58 in the opening round of the Mountain West Women's Basketball Tournament.

All five starters scored early as the Broncos jumped out to a quick 13-3 lead. Boise State held the Aggies to just 17.6% shooting in the quarter as the Blue and Orange took an 18-8 lead after one.

Utah State cut the lead to six with 7:02 in the second quarter, but Dani Bayes responded with seven second-quarter points to extend the lead to double digits with 2:39 left in the half. Boise State had eight different players score in the half as the team led 34-26 at halftime.

Elodie Lalotte and Hansen went to work in the third quarter, combining for 15 points in the period. Lalotte did her damage early, scoring eight points in the first four minutes. Hansen took the baton from Lalotte, scoring seven straight points as Boise State extended its lead to 14 entering the final period.

Hansen continued her hot streak in the fourth quarter, scoring five straight points for the Broncos. Utah State scored back-to-back baskets to cut the lead to 61-50 at the game's final media timeout, but Boise State held onto the lead the remainder of the game to advance to the quarterfinals.

Top Broncos

- Mya Hansen scored 14 of her 20 points in the second half. The freshman shot 7-of-12 from the floor and 3-of-4 from long range.
- Elodie Lalotte nearly notched a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing nine boards.
- Dani Bayes scored 11 points for the Broncos.
- Natalie Pasco scored nine points and dished out a career-high five assists.

Notables

- Mya Hansen's 20-point performance marks the fifth time this season a Bronco freshman has scored 20 or more points in a game.
- Hansen's 20 points is the most she has scored against a MW foe in her career. The Billings, Mont. native scored a career-high 31 points against BYU on Dec. 1.
- By grabbing 11 boards on the night, Abby Muse moved into second place all-time in program history with 277 total rebounds in a single season. Karla Meier holds the program record, pulling down 289 boards during the 1981-82 season.
- Nineteen of Boise State's 25 field goals were assisted.
- The Broncos outrebounded the Aggies 47-28.
- Boise State's bench outscored Utah State's 28-3.
- Trista Hull blocked a career-high four shots on the night.

Quotables

"I'm glad we won. We didn't care if we won by one or 100. This year we have come a long way. I'm really proud of our players. We've got an outstanding returning group and we've got an outstanding freshman class." – head coach Gordy Presnell

"On our team anybody can go off and score. We just want to find the open player. When we come together and play as a whole, that's when we have the best ability to win each game." – freshman guard Mya Hansen

What's Next

With the win, Boise State advances to the quarterfinals of the MW Women's Basketball Tournament. The Broncos will take on No. 3 Colorado State at 8:30 p.m. MT, Monday. The game will be broadcast on the MW Network.