LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Utah State women’s basketball lost in the first round of the Mountain West tournament to sixth-seeded Boise State, 66-58, on Sunday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.
After the Broncos started the game on a 13-3 run en route to an 18-6 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Aggies climbed back into the contest with a 7-0 run in the second frame to trim the deficit to six points with six minutes remaining before halftime. USU remained within striking distance through to intermission as Boise State led, 34-26, at the break.
Following halftime, the Broncos incrementally increased their lead, first pushing the lead back into double digits around the seven-minute mark of the third quarter. Graduate senior Ashya Klopfenstein scored USU’s first 12 points of the final quarter but the Aggies were unable to cut the margin to single digits for the remainder of the contest.
Graduate senior Mayson Kimball finished with a double-double, USU’s fourth of the season, featuring 10 points and 10 rebounds. Junior guard Tamiah Robinson led Utah State with 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting, also adding a team-high three assists and three steals. Klopfenstein finished with 12 points plus a team-best four steals. Graduate senior Maria Carvalho also reached double figures with 10 points.
Utah State shot 32.8 percent (20-for-61) from the field, including 13.0 percent (3-for-23) from 3-point territory. The Aggies forced the Broncos into 21 turnovers, scoring 14 points off said turnovers and maintaining a 12-2 edge in fastbreak points.
Fans can follow USU women’s basketball on Twitter, @USUWBasketball, on Instagram, @USUWBasketball, as well as on Facebook, at /USUWBB. Aggie fans can also follow Utah State Athletics on Twitter, @USUAthletics, on Instagram, @USUAthletics and on Facebook at /USUAthletics.
