LOGAN, Utah — Utah State women's basketball (4-14, 2-11 MW) fought hard through the final three quarters but was unable to overcome an early deficit, falling to Boise State (11-7, 8-7 MW), 87-69, on Thursday evening inside the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
After a tough start shooting the ball, the Aggies trailed 22-8 through the first quarter. USU was able to get into rhythm, shooting 52.2 percent (24-of-46) through the final three quarters of the game. Utah State chipped away at the Bronco lead, eventually getting within eight points in the fourth quarter at 72-64, but the comeback attempt fell short as Boise State went for its highest-scoring outing of conference play.
The Aggies were led by 14-point efforts from senior guard
Emmie Harris and freshman guard
Kinley Falslev, who tied her scoring career-high. Graduate forward
Jessica Chatman and junior guard/forward
Monique Pruitt each reached double figures as well, with 12 points apiece. Harris also chipped in a career-high six assists for the Aggies, while leading the squad with two steals. Chatman and junior forward
Taylor Franson each brought down a team-high six rebounds.
Boise State was led by junior guard Jade Loville, who went for 20 points along with a game-high 10 boards. Freshman guard Mary Kay Naro had a game-high 16 assists for the Broncos.
As a team, Utah State shot 40.3 percent (27-of-67) from the field, 33.3 percent (9-of-27) from 3-point range and 50.0 percent (6-of-12) from the free throw line. Boise State shot 48.1 percent (37-of-77) from the field, while shooting 21.7 percent (5-of-23) from the 3-point line and 66.7 percent (8-of-12) from the charity stripe.
The Aggies now remain at home for part two of the two-game series against Boise State, Saturday, Feb. 20, at 2 p.m. The game will be streamed on the Mountain West Network, and live stats will be available via Sidearm.
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. Fans can also keep up with USU Athletics by downloading the official Utah State Athletics app.
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