Boise State pulls away in fourth quarter; Lobos fall 95-76
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A remarkably high second-half shooting percentage by Boise State, especially in the fourth quarter, helped carry the Broncos to a 95-76 win over the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team on Saturday afternoon inside Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit.
In that second half, the Broncos (20-9, 12-5) seemingly could not miss as they shot 71% (22-of-31) overall from the floor and were 64% (7-of-11) from three-point range. That extremely efficient shooting output in the second half was bolstered by a fourth quarter that saw the Broncos shoot 77% overall (10-of-13) and 4-of-4 from three-point range.
Prior to the second half, the Lobos (14-15, 5-11 MW) and Broncos were locked in a back-and-forth contest throughout the first half. In the opening 20 minutes, there were five lead changes and one tie score with the largest lead for either side being seven points. The Lobos also led a majority of the first half and took a three-point lead into the locker room.
Through the first half of play, the Lobos had higher shooting percentage numbers overall and from three-point range over the Broncos as UNM shot 46% (17-of-37) overall and 54% (7-of-13) from beyond the arc.
The game remained close in the early part of the third quarter as the first minute and a half featured three tie scores and two lead changes. The last of those lead changes went in favor of the Broncos and broke what was a 50-all tie on a three-pointer by Riley Lupfer at the 8:28 mark of the third quarter.
Over the next five minutes of action, Boise remained out in front, but the Lobos were able to keep the score within a two-possession game during that time. With 2:47 left in the third, the Broncos grabbed their largest lead of the game to that point and led by eight points, 67-59. The Lobos would not allow the lead to grow any larger and trailed by five points heading into the fourth quarter.
On the opening possession of the fourth quarter, Ahlise Hurst knocked down a painted jumper to make it a three-point game, 71-68. Seconds later, the Lobos trimmed the Bronco lead down to a single point after Jordan Hosey took a steal coast-to-coast for a layup.
The Broncos answered back on their next possession with a mid-range jumper by Jade Loville, but the lead was cut to a single point once more on the Lobos ensuing possession thanks to a layup by Jaedyn De La Cerda with 8:51 remaining on the clock.
That would be as close as the Lobos would get the rest of the way out as the Broncos caught fire the remainder of the game. Over the final 8:40 of the game, the Broncos missed just two shots from the field and out-scored the Lobos 22-4 en route to the 95-76 win.
Statistically, the Lobos had three players score in double figures with Ahlise Hurst leading the way with 23 points. Senior classmates Aisia Robertson and Jordan Hosey were behind Hurst and rounded out double figure scoring with 15 points each. As seniors, Robertson and Hosey will be honored post-game on Monday night against Air Force as it is the Lobos final home game of 2019-20. Tip-off for the game is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit. The Senior Night ceremony is slated to begin about five minutes following the conclusion of the game.