Broncos Stave Off Bulldog Comeback Attempt

Saturday, February 24

Boise, Idaho

1 p.m. MT

Boise State

19-9,10-5Mountain West

Fresno State

14-15,7-9Mountain West

Fresno St.

Boise St.

2/24/2024 4:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

BOISE, Idaho – An explosive fourth quarter from Natalie Pasco led Boise State past Fresno State, 70-65, Saturday afternoon in ExtraMile Arena.

With the Broncos (19-9, 10-5 Mountain West) leading by eight entering the final quarter, Pasco scored 11 of her team-high 20 points in the final frame. The Bulldogs (14-15, 7-9 MW) cut the lead to six multiple times in the fourth quarter, but Boise State shot 14-of-18 from the charity stripe in the period to claim the victory.

Boise State jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead over the Bulldogs. After Fresno State responded to make it 9-5, Trista Hull and Tatum Thompson spurred a 7-0 run to take a 16-5 advantage. Fresno State didn't back down, scoring five points to end the quarter trailing 16-10.

The Bulldogs continued their hot streak, tying the game at 20 midway through the second stanza. Abby Muse stopped the bleeding with a layup, then found Pasco for a 3-pointer to put Boise State up five. The two teams exchanged baskets, with Linsey Lovrovich drilling a corner 3-pointer with 1:11 left in the half to put the Broncos up seven. Fresno State hit a pair of free throws on its final possession of the half and trailed 30-25 at the break.

After Fresno State cut the lead to three early in the third quarter, but Boise State responded with a 7-2 spurt to lead 40-32 midway through the quarter. The Broncos held on to an eight-point advantage entering the final frame, leading 46-38.

Thompson opened the fourth quarter aggressively, getting to the foul line on three-straight possessions to make it 50-41. Pasco then took over, scoring eight consecutive points for the Broncos to give the squad a 58-48 lead with 3:45 remaining. The Blue and Orange looked to cruise to victory as Lalotte made a free throw to make it a 12-point game with 3:06 on the clock, but the Bulldogs responded with six-straight points to cut the lead to six. Boise State finished the contest 10-of-12 from the line over the last 1:30 to clinch a five-point victory.

Top Broncos

Natalie Pasco scored a team-high 20 points in the victory. The sophomore finished 5-of-10 from beyond the arc.
Tatum Thompson netted 11 points off the bench.
Mya Hansen scored 10 points and pulled down five rebounds in the win.

Notables

Mary Kay Naro moved into third place in program history with 455 career assists. The senior passed Tricia Bader (1991-96), who dished out 451 assists in her career. Naro trails current graduate assistant coach Jayde Christopher (2018-20), who dished out 457 assists.
Boise State shot 20-of-27 from the free throw line, including a 14-of-18 performance in the fourth quarter
Natalie Pasco finished with 20 points, marking the fifth time this season the sophomore has scored 20+ points.
Pasco has made five or more 3-pointers in five games on the year.
Abby Muse has grabbed 247 rebounds on the year, moving into the top five in program history for most rebounds in a single season.
Pasco moved into eighth place in program history with 74 3-pointers in a single season.
Naro has dished out 124 assists on the season, moving into the top ten in program history for most assists in a year.
Pasco has scored in double figures in nine-straight contests.
The Broncos have led for 35+ minutes in 14 of the team's 19 wins this season.
Boise State is 8-3 in single-digit games.
The Broncos are 13-3 on the season when three or more players reach double figures.
Nine different Broncos scored in the game.

Quotables

"Natalie hit some big shots and we hit our free throws down the stretch. We have some people that are stepping up and playing pretty well. When we're all playing together we can be tough to beat." – head coach Gordy Presnell

"I'm really proud of Mary Kay. She really understands the game. She has the ability to make the right call at the right time. Her ability to see all four of our players and all five of the defensive players is impressive. She routinely makes the right decision." – Presnell on Mary Kay Naro moving up to third place all-time on the program's all-time assist list

What's Next

The Broncos will take on UNLV, the top team in the conference, on the road on Wednesday, Feb. 28. The game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. MT and will be broadcast on the MW Network and KBOI 670 AM.