Boise State women’s basketball starts slow, but improves to 2-0
Like in its first game, the Boise State women’s basketball team took a little while to get started. Once the Broncos did, the outcome was never in doubt.
The Broncos trailed College of Charleston by three points midway through the second quarter, but responded with a 10-point run, stretching it to a double-digit lead for the entire second half of a 61-38 victory Monday night at Taco Bell Arena.
On Friday, Boise State led Division II Cal State Los Angeles 39-36 late in the third before pulling away for a 58-44 win.
“It was a good bounce-back game from really getting it handed to us by Cal State LA in terms of athleticism,” coach Gordy Presnell said.
No player encapsulated the Broncos’ athletic prowess more than sophomore Shalen Shaw, who had game-highs of 18 points and nine rebounds, and added four assists. Sporting a shiner below her right eye from an errant shoulder she took in an exhibition game, Shaw has continued to build off a strong finish to her freshman season.
“Just keep doing what I was doing, but be a little more aggressive, to score more and hit my guards,” Shaw said.
Shaw was able to corral that aggression in a positive way, drawing only two fouls after playing just 11 minutes Friday in constant foul trouble.
“She’s pretty rare. ... There aren’t very many players like her. She’s extremely skilled, and we’ve just got to capitalize on it,” Presnell said.
Jackie Luna-Castro (Boise High) had six points and five rebounds for the Cougars (1-1). BSU junior guard Yaiza Rodriguez had seven assists, and junior guard Brooke Pahukoa had eight rebounds. Pahukoa was held scoreless until late in the third quarter and finished with five points.
Broncos 61, Cougars 38
Thursday: Utah Valley (1-2) at Boise State (2-0), Taco Bell Arena, 7 p.m.
This story was originally published November 16, 2015 at 11:35 PM with the headline "Boise State women’s basketball starts slow, but improves to 2-0."