Despite playing one of their best games in recent weeks and with star Tatum Thompson missing the game due to illness, the Broncos fell to the New Mexico Lobos in overtime, 88-83.
After trailing the majority of the second half, keeping the deficit between one and six points, Boise State (15-11, 5-8) finally tied the score at 73 with 1:17 left on a Natalie Pasco three-pointer. The Broncos had their chances at the end of regulation, coming up with two huge stops, but a drive attempt by Mya Hansen did not convert.
With the Broncos trailing by two with about 37 seconds remaining in overtime, the Broncos chose to let things play out. Like she had done all game, New Mexico (14-12, 7-6) star Viane Cumber came up huge, hitting a three-pointer with 6.7 seconds left to seal the Lobo victory.
Boise State did not get a shot off on their final possession.
Though Thompson was out, others stepped up, including a career game from redshirt junior Josee Steadman. Steadman finished with 17 points, three rebounds, and three assists in 20 minutes of action.
Abby Muse finished with a team-high 18 points to pace the Broncos, adding five rebounds.
Cumber finished with a career-high 27 points for the Lobos, collecting five rebounds, leading New Mexico to end a five-game losing streak.
Rebounds, normally a huge advantage for the Broncos, went the opposite way this game, contributing to the loss. Boise State had only 35 and allowed New Mexico to finish with 51.
Back and forth first half
Two evenly matched teams dropped into a back-and-forth game from the opening tip, with 11 lead changes and one tie in the first half.
Boise State held an early 10-7 lead after an Alyssa Christensen jumper. Each team had long scoring droughts in the first quarter, with New Mexico going almost four minutes between scores at one point. The Broncos suffered through almost five minutes without points, finally snapped on a Mya Hansen lead to give Boise State a 13-11 lead.
Boise State held the advantage 15-14 after the first frame, thanks partially to New Mexico beginning the game 4 of 18 from the field.
Against New Mexico's zone defense, Boise State passed and moved the ball well, keeping the offense flowing. Steadman started the quarter with a baseline jumper and later, buckets by Muse on consecutive trips provided the Broncos with a 23-19 lead.
However, the Lobos warmed up and rattled off a 10-0 run. Their lead swelled to eight but the Broncos cut the gap to five at the break, trailing 38-33.
Muse had eight first-half points and Mary Kay Naro returned to the lineup after missing the last game, finishing the half with four assists and four rebounds.
Scrapping in the second half
After falling behind by seven early in the third quarter, Boise State's offense got rolling. Dani Bayes hit back-to-back threes and Elodie Lalotte scored four straight. New Mexico, though, found buckets of their own, not letting the Broncos get closer than two in the first five minutes of the second half.
Steadman was again a factor, hitting a three, but was Cumber was just as efficient, nailing a three to give New Mexico a six-point lead with 2:58 left in the third.
Boise State took care of the ball (only one turnover in the quarter) and scratched away, trailing 56-55 entering the final frame.
Again down by only two after a Lalotte free throw, the Broncos went cold for over three minutes and allowed the Lobos to stretch the lead to seven. An old fashioned three-point play by Muse revved things up again, with the Broncos staying within one to three points until Pasco's deep shot tied the game.
Lalotte and Bayes each finished with 11 points for the Broncos. Pasco scored eight and Hansen seven, but the two were a combined 5 of 21 from the field.
Naro finished with eight assists and six rebounds, both team highs.
Joana Magalhaes finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, and four assists for the Lobos. Destinee Hooks and (13 points) and Hulda Joaquim (11) also scored in double figures, with Alyssa Hargrove finishing with 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
The Broncos struggled from behind the arc (7-30) but committed only seven turnovers.
With five games left in conference play, the Broncos are currently in eighth place. The good news? They are only two games out of fourth and have a good shot at going at least 4-1 down the stretch. Boise State's next change to close the gap is this Saturday when they host the Fresno State Bulldogs at ExtraMile Arena.
image credit: Wikimedia Commons
More on Boise State women's basketball 2024-25:
- Boise State falls on the road in Laramie
- Road woes continue for Broncos
- Boise State Broncos preview 2024-25
Comments