Box Score

BOISE, Idaho -

Boise State 68, Utah State 60

A series of lead changes and runs on either end of the court didn't end in Utah State's favor Saturday, as the women's basketball team dropped a 68-60 decision at Boise State.

Sophomore guard/forward Shannon Dufficy was the top scorer for the Aggies Saturday, posting 13 points. She was joined in double figures by redshirt sophomore guard Victoria Price and sophomore guard Olivia West with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Dufficy was also the leading rebounder for Utah State with seven. Boise State had two players with 20-point games, with Riley Lupfer putting up 24 points and Marta Hermida with 21.

With the loss, Utah State falls to 5-19 overall and 3-10 in Mountain West play. Boise State improves to 15-9 on the year and 9-4 in league play with the win.

Both teams turned the ball over on its first possessions, but gained traction from there. The teams traded shots back-and-forth through the entirety of the quarter. The longest run on either end only amounted to four points for the Broncos, but the Aggies held onto the lead. Boise State tied the score several times, but didn't see its first lead until the final minute of the first, taking that 15-13 lead into the quarter break.

The pace slowed to start the second quarter, but Utah State took the lead back in the early minutes with a pair of layups. Boise State then started to find success from the 3-point line, hitting three shots from behind the arc over a three-minute period. The Aggie offense found a spark in the late minutes of the quarter, spurring to a 12-0 run. Utah State took the lead back at the 2:27 mark on a 3-pointer from Dufficy, one it would hold up to the buzzer. Boise State brought and end to the Aggie run with a single free throw with just over a minute to play, following that with a layup on the next possession. Utah State had two last chances in the half, with neither shot able to fall. However, the Aggies maintained the lead, going into the halftime break, up, 31-29.

The Aggies continued to find success on the floor to start the third quarter. Utah State put up a quick six points, including four free throws from Price. Boise State did not score its first points of the quarter until the 8:13 mark, but Utah State answered that shot with another four points to find a double-digit lead. Both teams were held to free throws for a 4:17 stretch of time, but both ended that drought with layups 17 seconds apart. The Bronco offense perked back up late in the third, going on a 15-2 run and retaking the lead. By the end of the quarter, Boise State held a 50-46 lead.

The Broncos continued to dominate in the early minutes of the fourth. The Broncos scored seven points in the first two minutes, holding USU to just a free throw and building their lead to 10. Utah State's first field goal of the quarter came at the hands of Olivia West at the 5:38 mark, sparking a reversal on the court. The Aggies then went on an 11-4 run, pulling back within one. Boise State was the one to close it out though, ending the game with seven-straight points from Hermida.

Overall, Utah State shot 40.4 percent (23-of-57) from the floor, going 27.3 percent (3-of-11) from the 3-point line and 73.3 percent (11-of-15) from the free throw line. Boise State shot 42.9 percent (21-of-49) from the field, including 42.1 percent (8-of-19) from behind the arc, and was 81.8 percent (18-of-22) from the free throw line.

The Aggies continue conference play next week with games against New Mexico and Nevada. Utah State will host the Lobos on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m., before taking on the Wolf Pack on the road on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 3 p.m. (MT).

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.