Both the Cowgirls and the Boise State Broncos were the top two defensive teams in the Mountain West coming into this contest. However, it wasn’t Wyoming’s stalwart defense that was on display, as the Broncos absolutely shut down the Cowgirls and played very well offensively to take down the Cowgirls.
The loss now marks the second in conference play this season for the Cowgirls, as they struggled to take care of the basketball and score. The Cowgirls even had two single digit scoring quarters to end the game. The Cowgirls still remain in second place with the loss, but do fall two games back of first place, which is currently held by UNLV.
The Cowgirls would open the scoring early with an easy layup, but that was all either team could afford early as it seemed as both teams would be locked in a defensive battle. The Broncos would finally score their first bucket to tie four minutes into the first quarter as that seemed to spark both teams as they’d trade threes. Both teams would continue to trade baskets, as Marta Savic and Ola Ustowska would score for the Cowgirls to make it 12-12. The Broncos would hit two straight threes, though, as they’d end the half on an 8-0 run as the Cowgirls found themselves down 20-12 after one quarter of play.
The Cowgirl drought would continue in the second half, as it would extend for about four minutes until Malene Pederson knocked down a three to draw the Cowgirls within seven at 22-15. The Broncos would stay hot, though, as they’d force a pair of Cowgirl turnovers to take a 28-15 lead before Pederson could find her way to the basket to answer. Both teams would battle back and forth late, as the Cowgirls would be able to make it a nine point game off a McKinely Dickerson jumper at 34-25 at the half.
The Broncos would continue to streak out of the half, going on a 6-0 run to start the third quarter. Savic would answer with a pair of free throws as the Cowgirl defense would turn it up and they would go on a 6-0 run themselves to keep it within nine at 40-31. The Broncos would then score four straight, answered by Tess Barnes, but the Cowgirl offense couldn’t keep up as the Broncos would take a 46-33 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
The fourth quarter was a rough quarter offensively for both teams, as the top defenses in the conference were showing off in the final quarter of play. This wouldn’t benefit the Cowgirls, as they’d take on their largest deficit of the game at 54-35 late in the fourth quarter. The Cowgirls would score some late but would ultimately drop the game 56-42.
The Cowgirls were led by Pederson with 16 on the game. Savic joined her as the only other scorer in double figures with 10, as no other Cowgirl scored over 5 points in the game. The Cowgirls had 18 turnovers in the game as well, as the Broncos turned those into 14 points.
The Cowgirls continue their road swing next Saturday, taking the short trip to Fort Collins to take on the Colorado State Rams, the game set to tip off at 1 p.m.
