Posting a 9-2 record in non-conference play had the program feeling good. High feelings were quickly dashed after an 0-2 start to Mountain West play, including a 29-point rout at the hands of the San Diego State Aztecs. Throw in a rare home loss last weekend to Grand Canyon, and frustration mounted.
The Broncos (12-5, 3-3) responded this week with kindness. First, Boise State ended an 11-game road losing streak, winning for the first time away from ExtraMile Arena in nearly a calendar year. Then on Saturday afternoon, the Broncos earned a premium victory against the talented Colorado State Rams (13-4, 4-2).
Down by as many as ten points in the early second quarter, the Broncos used a stingy defense and timely buckets from their core players to pick up a 62-59 victory.
Boise State Broncos: The victory
Boise State held Colorado State to nine points in the third quarter to not only claw back but to take a two-point lead into the fourth quarter. Action went back and forth in the final frame, with senior Natalie Pasco providing the final margin on a layup with 16 seconds left.
Pasco, after a 24-point outburst against Air Force, was held to five points on 2 of 8 shooting against the Rams. Tatum Thompson had an outstanding game with 25 points and seven rebounds while Dani Bayes locked in with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.
Sophomore Libby Hutton, who had a huge blocked shot to seal the game with two seconds left, was a huge difference. Hutton finished with 15 points and six rebounds. Along with Thompson, Hutton dominated the paint on a day when the Broncos struggled to shoot the ball (5 of 19 from deep and 37% overall).
The Broncos held a huge advantage on the glass, collecting 42 rebounds to Colorado State's 28.
Lexus Bargesser led Colorado State with 13 points while Hannah Ronsiek added 11. The two were a combined 8 of 21 from the field and 5 of 11 on three-point attempts.
The victory ended a string of six straight losses to the Rams. Boise State has a chance to keep the good times rolling in the week ahead, too, with two winnable games on the horizon.
Broncos in need of better depth
Boise State now sits in the middle of the Mountain West pack, tied with the Nevada Wolf Pack and Grand Canyon. These three teams are one game back of Colorado State and New Mexico, and three back of undefeated league leaders UNLV and San Diego State.
The Lady Rebels and Aztecs meet up on 1/17 in Las Vegas.
For the Broncos, they will look for a bit of separation when they host the Wyoming Cowgirls (4-11, 1-5) and hit the road to face the improved Utah State Aggies (6-9, 2-4).
One of the things I hope improves for Boise State going forward is contributions from the bench players. To be fair, the group is either young or new to the roster (or both). This was a concern headed into the season, especially in the scoring department. In Saturday's victory, the five starters (four listed above plus Mya Hansen, who scored five points) accounted for all of Boise State's points.
Eight players saw action off the bench. Throughout the season these eight have had spurts of contributions and played valuable minutes. Trouble is, much like today, minutes have been limited, with Morgan Maldonado leading the way with 10. And this might have been even less if it weren't for the early foul trouble Hansen got in.
The bench was 0 of 7 from the field and contributed seven points, two assists, and one turnover.
Maldonado has been the most consistent off the bench. I think Izzie Harms, Mason Borcherding, and Josee Steadman have the potential to make the most impact. If these four can get rolling, especially as a unit to give the starters much needed rest, Boise State can make a strong run in their final year in the Mountain West.
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