By the end of this week, the Broncos hope to have a five-game streak under their belts.
Fresh off an ultimate defensive effort last Saturday, Boise State (16-8, 7-4) extended their current streak to three. Three straight games where opponents have only averaged 44.7 points per game. Only one, Fresno State, reached the 50-point mark.
During this same stretch, opponents are only shooting 32.1 percent (25.5 percent from 3-point range) and committed 59 turnovers. All marks are lower than the already solid season averages the Boise State defense is laying down.
Offense is still a struggle at times but the Broncos are coming off a game in which they committed only 10 turnovers. Natalie Pasco remains the top scorer at 14.1 points per game (the only Bronco averaging double figures). Abby Muse averages eight points and 8.9 rebounds per game and has 78 blocked shots. Mary Kay Naro is tops in the assists department, with 103.
Tatum Thompson off the bench has come on as of late. During the winning streak, Thompson is averaging 14 points and six rebounds per game.
Boise State, with two road games on the docket this week, currently sits in fourth place. The Broncos are 1.5 games back of second place Wyoming as only three losses separate the Cowgirls and the seventh-place Colorado State Rams.
The Broncos have a perfect opportunity to keep the pressure on and remain in a perfect spot to secure a first round bye in the Mountain West Conference tournament this March.
Boise State at Utah State
First up, one of those proverbial trap games, where Boise State takes on the Utah State Aggies on February 14 (6 p.m. MT).
The Aggies (4-19, 1-11) might not seem like a threat but they should not be taken lightly. Yes, tough to say that with Utah State's record but they did recently snap a 13-game losing streak with a 65-62 victory over the Nevada Wolf Pack.
Utah State proceeded to lose their next three games, but that victory shows they are capable. And they started strong against Boise State last time out before a 28-6 second quarter by the Broncos sealed the deal.
Boise State won 76-41, forcing 21 Utah State turnovers. The Aggies shot only 26.4 percent and a frigid 10 percent from deep.
The Broncos weren't terribly too much better from the field, shooting only 33.8 percent. But Boise State knocked down 11 three-pointers, committed only 11 turnovers, and held a rebound advantage of 10.
Eleven players scored for the Broncos in that meeting. Dani Bayes had 16 (four 3's) to lead Boise State, with Muse scoring 15 and Thompson finishing with 12 points and seven rebounds
Tricia Hull had three points, seven rebounds, and four blocked shots, while Pasco had four steals.
For Utah State, junior guard Cheyenne Stubbs had 17 points and six rebounds. Stubbs averages 15.8 points and 4 rebounds per game and scored 32 in the victory over Nevada.
Junior forward Bridget Mullings only averages 4.1 points and 3.5 rebounds but had eight and ten, respectively, against Boise State.
The Broncos need to maintain focus this game, especially on the road. And even more so with a chance to avenge one of their conference losses waiting in the wings on Saturday.
Broncos at Wolf Pack
Nevada (12-12, 6-5) is one of the seven teams right there in the mix for a first-round bye. And the Wolf Pack already own a win over Boise State, a 58-57 victory in early January.
In that game, Pasco hit a three-pointer with 1:43 left to bring the Broncos within one. Boise State had opportunities down the stretch and even had a chance to win the game. Neither team scored in the last 1:43 and the Broncos didn't even get a final shot, with a turnover by Mya Hansen just before the final buzzer.
The second and third quarters did Boise State in as Nevada outscored the Broncos 37-29. Nevada was only 4-17 from deep and committed 17 turnovers.
Boise State was better from the field (39.5 to 38.5) but had 20 turnovers and shot 3-15 from beyond the arc. Even without Naro, Boise State had a chance, thanks in part to a defense that had nine blocked shots and nine steals.
Muse had one of her best all-around games this season in that meeting, netting 15 points, 13 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 3 steals. Pasco had 20 points and Hansen had seven assists, though she committed eight turnovers and was 0-6 from the field.
In the last meeting, junior guard Audrey Roden scored 19 for Nevada. Roden was 9-18 from the field and added five rebounds. She is Nevada's leading scorer this season at 11.9 ppg but, like the entire team, doesn't shoot well from three. Roden is at 23.9 percent, with the team sitting at 31 percent for the season.
Nevada has lost three of four, including a 45-point loss to first place UNLV. Before Saturday's matchup with Boise State (2/17, 2 p.m. MT), the Wolf Pack host San Diego State.
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