Broncos Bested by Falcons

Saturday, March 1

USAFA, Colo.

1 p.m. MT

Boise State

16-14,6-11Mountain West

Air Force

17-12,7-10Mountain West

Boise St.

Air Force

Photo by: Luke Retana

3/1/2025 3:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Gamebook Photos Photo Gallery

USAFA, Colo. – Boise State women's basketball dropped its final road contest of the season to Air Force, 75-68, Saturday afternoon.

After a back-and-forth first half, the Broncos (16-14, 6-11 Mountain West) fell victim to a 12-2 third-quarter run from the Falcons (17-12, 7-10 MW). Boise State cut the gap to seven, but was never able to close the gap as Air Force came away with the victory.

Four Broncos scored in double figures in the loss. Tatum Thompson recorded her seventh double-double of the season, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Natalie Pasco added 13 points and four rebounds, while both Dani Bayes and Elodie Lalotte contributed 10 points.

Air Force raced out to a 12-4 start in the first three minutes of the contest. Boise State weathered the storm, with Jayda Clark draining a 3-pointer from the wing followed by an old-fashioned 3-point play from Pasco to cut the lead to two. Lalotte gave the Broncos the lead late in the quarter and Teryn Gardner drained a 3-pointer on the team's last possession of the frame to hold a 21-19 lead.

Libby Hutton converted a three-point play to open the second quarter as Boise State stretched its lead to five. After tying the game at 24, the Falcons went on a run, scoring six straight points to take a 34-28 lead midway through the period. Lalotte and Pasco scored back-to-back layups to make it a one-possession game, but Milhanie Perry drilled a contested 3-pointer at the buzzer as Air Force held a 39-35 lead at the break.

Boise State scored the first five points of the half, with Bayes giving the Broncos the lead with a 3-pointer from the corner. Air Force stirred up the intensity, rattling off a 12-2 run to take a 51-42 lead at the media timeout and a 59-47 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Pasco, Muse and Thompson combined to score 11 points in the first five minutes of the final frame, but Air Force maintained a 68-58 advantage at the media break. Bayes cut the lead to seven with her second triple of the night, but the Falcons scored five-straight to make it 73-61 with 2:23 remaining. Bayes and Thompson scored back-to-back baskets down the stretch but the lead was insurmountable as the Broncos dropped their second-straight contest.

Top Broncos
- Tatum Thompson recorded her seventh double-double of the season, finishing with 16 points and 11 rebounds. The junior shot 4-of-6 from the floor and converted all seven of her free throw attempts.
- Natalie Pasco shot 5-of-9 from the field, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, to finish with 13 points.
- Dani Bayes and Elodie Lalotte each added 10 points in the loss.

Notables
- Abby Muse played in her 150th game with the program. The fifth-year has started in 141 of those games.
- Tatum Thompson notched her seventh career double-double in the contest.
- Mary Kay Naro has dished out 5+ assists in each of her last six games.
- Dani Bayes has hit multiple 3-pointers in five consecutive matchups.
- Nine different Broncos scored in the game, marking the fourth consecutive game with 9+ players scoring.

Quotables
"That was a disappointing loss. We didn't defend well in the third quarter. They have two really good players and they killed us tonight. – head coach Gordy Presnell

"We're going to go home tonight and start preparing for senior night at our place. We have eight seniors and we're looking forward to the opportunity to honor them." - Presnell

What's Next
Boise State will honor its eight seniors ahead of the regular season finale on March 4. The program will recognize Alyssa Christensen, Jayda Clark, Allie Hueckman, Elodie Lalotte, Linsey Lovrovich, Abby Muse, Mackenzie Naro and Mary Kay Naro prior to the scheduled 6:30 p.m. MT tipoff against Utah State. The game will also double as a Kidney Cancer Awareness Game in honor of those who have been impacted by the disease, with fans encouraged to wear orange to the game.