Bayes Lifts Broncos Past Redbirds

Friday, November 29

Fort Myers, Fla.

9 a.m. MT

Boise State

7-0,0-0Mountain West

Illinois State

2-3,0-0MVC

Illinois St.

Boise St.

11/29/2024 12:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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Broncos Remain Undefeated with the Win

ESTERO, Fla. – Dani Bayes converted a three-point play with one second remaining to lift Boise State past Illinois State, 79-76, in the opening game of the Gulf Coast Showcase on Friday morning.

With the game tied at 76 with 15 seconds remaining, Bayes drove through the lane and finished with a layup, drawing a foul in the process with one second left on the clock. After making the free throw to give the Broncos (7-0) a three-point lead, Illinois State couldn't get a shot off in time as Boise State claimed the win.
The victory marks the sixth 7-0 start in program history and the third under head coach Gordy Presnell. The Broncos last started 7-0 in 2016-17.

Boise State was led in scoring from junior Natalie Pasco, who scored 13 of her team-high 18 points in the opening half. With Abby Muse and Elodie Lalotte battling early foul trouble, Libby Hutton added seven first-half points for the squad as Boise State entered the break leading 39-35.

Mary Kay Naro was aggressive offensively to start the second half, scoring four points and dishing out three assists in the frame. Eight different Broncos scored in the period, including an Alyssa Christensen 3-pointer with under a minute remaining to give Boise State a 59-56 advantage heading into the final quarter.

The 3-point barrage continued to open the final frame, with Teryn Gardner and Christensen drilling back-to-back 3-point attempts. Tatum Thompson followed up with an old-fashioned 3-point play to give the Broncos a seven-point lead, the largest of the night.

The Redbirds (2-3) didn't back down, cutting the Boise State lead to one with 1:12 left. Bayes took control, drilling a stepback 3-pointer with 55 seconds remaining to put the Broncos up four. Illinois State clawed back into the game, tying the contest at 76 with 15 seconds left to set up the heroics from Bayes.

Top Broncos
- Natalie Pasco led the team with 18 points, with 13 coming in the first half. The junior shot 4-of-6 from 3-point range and 7-of-10 from the field.
- Dani Bayes scored 10 points, including six points in the final minute.
- Tatum Thompson recorded her fifth consecutive game in double figures, finishing with 10 points.
- Mary Kay Naro scored nine points and season-high six assists.
- Libby Hutton contributed nine points and four steals off the bench.

Notables
- Boise State has started 7-0 for the sixth time in program history and third under head coach Gordy Presnell. It is the first time the Broncos have started 7-0 since the 2016-17 season.
- Natalie Pasco moved into the top 10 in program history with 147 career 3-pointers. The junior passed Braydey Hodgins (2016-20), who recorded 145 in her career.
- Pasco recorded her 15th career game with 4+ 3-pointers.
- A game after drilling 15 3-pointers, Boise State made 12 long balls in the contest.
- Tatum Thompson has scored in double figures in five consecutive contests, the longest streak of her career.
- Boise State forced 20 turnovers on the game. It is the fourth time this season the Broncos have forced 20+ turnovers in a game, matching last year's total.
- The Broncos finished with 30 bench points and have scored 20+ bench points in all seven games on the season.
- Pasco surpassed 800 career points, finishing the contest with 814.
- Dani Bayes hit three field goals to reach 200 in her career.

Quotables
"I thought we perservered. Dani's shot was just unbelievable down the stretch. There was no panic in our team. There's a lot of things we can improve on but it's a great win for our program." – head coach Gordy Presnell

"I thought Mary Kay Naro kept us together. Natalie Pasco scored a lot early and helped us stay ahead with all of her shots in the first half. We've played really physical basketball this season and that prepared us for the game today." – Presnell

"I tried not to think too much down the stretch. I tried to make something out of the broken play. That was fun. That's what big moments are for." – junior Dani Bayes

What's Next
Boise State will play at 3 p.m. MT against No. 12 West Virginia on Saturday, Nov. 30. The game will be broadcast on FloCollege and 670 KBOI AM.