Boise State
17-9,8-5Mountain West
Nevada
14-12,8-5Mountain West
Broncos Drop Overtime Thriller in Reno
2/17/2024 4:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
RENO, Nev. – Boise State women's basketball dropped an overtime thriller to Nevada, falling 68-65 Saturday afternoon at Lawlor Events Center.
Tied at 63 with 1:48 left in overtime, Natalie Pasco scored a layup to give the Broncos (17-9, 8-5 Mountain West) a 2-point lead, but the Wolf Pack (14-12, 8-5 MW) responded with 3-point play on the ensuing possession. Nevada forced a turnover with 18.3 seconds left and converted a layup to take a 3-point lead, and Boise State missed a 3-point attempt with four seconds left as the Wolf Pack claimed the victory.
Elodie Lalotte scored a season-high 19 points in the loss, while Pasco added 16 for the Broncos. Mya Hansen netted 12 points for the Blue and Orange.
Hansen was on fire early, scoring five points in the opening quarter as Boise State took a 13-11 lead after one. Tatum Thompson and Hansen scored consecutive baskets to grow Boise State's advantage by six early in the second period, but the Wolf Pack responded with a 12-0 run to gain a 23-17 lead. Abby Muse stopped the run with a pair of free throws, and Kaitlin Burgess and Pasco hit back-to-back 3-pointers as the Broncos retook the lead. Nevada whittled the advantage down to one, but Dani Bayes drilled a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left in the half as Boise State took a 29-25 lead into the locker room.
The Wolf Pack opened the second half with a 11-4 run to take a 36-33 lead at the media timeout. The Bronco defense settled in, holding Nevada to only four points the rest of the quarter as the two teams entered the final frame knotted at 40.
Nevada opened the final period with seven-straight points to take a 47-40 lead with 6:48 remaining. Boise State stormed back, with Pasco scoring six points as part of a 9-2 Bronco response to tie the game at 49 with 3:40 left on the clock.Â
The Wolf Pack hit a jump shot out of a timeout, but Lalotte responded with a 3-point play to give Boise State the lead. After Nevada hit a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, Hansen responded with a 3-pointer of her own to give the Broncos a 55-54 advantage with 2:06 remaining.
Mary Kay Naro recorded a block on the ensuing possession and Muse hit two free throws on the other end as Boise State grabbed a 3-point lead. After Nevada hit a pull-up jumper, Lalotte drew a foul on the other end, connecting on a pair of free throws to give the Broncos a 59-56 lead with 35.8 seconds left. The Wolf Pack had three chances to tie it up, but Muse grabbed a rebound and was fouled with 4.3 seconds left. The senior missed both, setting up a deep 3-pointer from Victoria Davis with 1.9 seconds left to send the game to overtime.
Top Broncos
- Elodie Lalotte scored a season-high 19 points in the loss, shooting 8-of-17 from the floor.
- Natalie Pasco netted 16 points for the Broncos.
- Mya Hansen finished with 12 points, including a 2-of-4 performance from long range.
Notables
- Mary Kay Naro has dished out five or more assists in each of the last five games, totaling 32 assists.Â
- Natalie Pasco has scored in double figures in seven-straight games.
- Abby Muse pulled down double-digit rebounds for the ninth time this season.
- The Broncos went to overtime for the first time since a 68-65 loss to Saint Mary's on Dec. 10, 2022.
What's Next
Boise State hosts New Mexico on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m. MT in ExtraMile Arena. The game will be broadcast on the MW Network and on 670 KBOI AM.
