‘It feels like home.’ BYU coach’s homecoming spoils career night for Boise State freshman
If freshmen Mya Hansen and Dani Bayes are the future, the Boise State women’s basketball program is in good hands.
Hansen scored a career-best 31 points and the Broncos’ freshman class combined for 73.1% of the team’s scoring in a 76-67 loss to BYU on Thursday at ExtraMile Arena.
It is believed to be the most points by a freshman in program history and the first 30-plus outing by a Bronco since Jade Loville dropped a program-record 40 at UNLV on Feb. 10, 2021.
“To have that kind of competitiveness and vision and the guts to do it,” Boise State coach Gordy Presnell said. “And to still keep doing it when you miss one or two.”
Hansen, the reigning Montana Gatorade Player of the Year, had a previous career high of seven points, but Presnell moved her from shooting guard to point guard against BYU, and the change clearly suited her.
“I‘ve been changing up roles, but I’m here to play whatever the coaches want me to,” Hansen said. “So whenever I step on that court, I’m just going to compete and work my butt off, and whether that’s me scoring one night, that’s me passing it to another shooter or working defensively, I’ll take on whatever’s needed.”
Hansen finished 8-for-15 from the floor, including going 4-for-7 from 3-point range, and 11-for-11 from the free-throw line. Her four 3-pointers were the same amount she’s had in the Broncos’ six other games combined.
The 5-foot-9 guard from Billings, Montana, scored Boise State’s first eight points but posted 18 of her 31 in the second half, including 10 of Boise State’s 20 fourth-quarter points. Hansen’s fast-break layup with 8:05 remaining in the game brought the Broncos (3-5) within a single possession, 58-55, but that was as close as they would get.
Fellow freshman guard Bayes, who hails from Brisbane, Australia, added 16 points for the Broncos, and junior forward Abby Muse contributed a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.
“I think we’re finally getting that aggressive part to us, which I’m very excited about,” Hansen said. “We all know we can compete in this conference and with the other teams we play, so what it comes down to is when we get on that court, if we can get all 100% effort throughout the whole game, that’s what’ll win us games.”
BYU sophomore Lauren Gustin dominated inside against the Broncos, notching a double-double by halftime and finishing with 24 points and 17 rebounds as the Cougars (3-5) outscored their hosts 42-20 in the paint.
Thursday’s game was a homecoming of sorts for first-year BYU coach Amber Whiting, who led the Burley girls basketball team to a 2022 4A state championship. Whiting, whose son Jace plays for Boise State’s men’s team, had a large contingent of BYU fans there for support, including her old high school team.
“It was awesome,” Amber Whiting said. “I have so many family and friends, and it feels like home. It was good to be back.”
Boise State continues nonconference play Sunday against Colorado. Tipoff is 1 p.m. at ExtraMile Arena, and the game will be streamed live on the Mountain West Network, or listen on the radio on 670 AM.
This story was originally published December 1, 2022 at 10:42 PM.
