FRESNO, Calif. (Interstat) — In a critical Mountain West Conference clash, the Fresno State Bulldogs used a dominant first half and clutch late free throws to secure a 75-69 victory over the Boise State Broncos in a women’s basketball game Wednesday night at Save Mart Center.

The win avenged a January loss to the Broncos and snapped a three-game home losing streak for the Bulldogs, who improved to 12-13 overall. Boise State, which entered the game as a road favorite, saw its five-game winning streak end and fell to 19-6.

The most pivotal phase of the contest was the opening quarter, where Fresno State established a commanding lead it would never fully relinquish. The Bulldogs raced out to a 24-16 advantage after the first 10 minutes, fueled by efficient offense and disruptive defense. They shot 50% from the field in the period while forcing six Boise State turnovers, converting those into eight quick points.

Fresno State guard Danae Powell, who finished with a game-high 22 points, was instrumental in the fast start, orchestrating the offense and applying pressure on the ball. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 45-33 by halftime, capitalizing on a significant edge in free throws and points off turnovers. They attempted 15 first-half free throws to Boise State’s four and scored 18 points off 13 Bronco turnovers in the game.

Boise State, which had not lost since that January meeting with Fresno State, mounted a characteristic second-half rally. The Broncos chipped away at the deficit throughout the third quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs 22-14 in the period. Natalie Pasco, who led Boise State with 19 points, and Tatum Thompson, who added 16 points and four assists, fueled the comeback attempt. A driving layup by Dani Bayes, who scored 15, brought the Broncos within 59-55 heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter became a tense, back-and-forth affair. Boise State closed the gap to a single possession on multiple occasions. With just under a minute to play, Pasco drained a deep three-pointer to cut the Fresno State lead to 73-71, sending a jolt through the crowd of 1,200. Following a Fresno State timeout, the Bulldogs’ Indiya Clarke was called for an offensive foul, giving Boise State the ball back with a chance to tie or take the lead with 38 seconds remaining.

However, the ensuing possession ended in a turnover, and Powell was fouled with 18 seconds left. She calmly sank the first of two free throws to extend the lead to 74-71. After a missed Boise State jumper, Powell was fouled again with six seconds on the clock. She made the first to seal the game at 75-71, as the final Bronco heave missed its mark.

While Boise State won the battle in the paint, 34-28, and shot a slightly better percentage from three-point range, Fresno State’s advantages at the free-throw line and in creating turnovers proved decisive. The Bulldogs made 18 of 27 free throws compared to Boise State’s 12 of 18, and their eight steals led to those 18 crucial points off turnovers. Fresno State also displayed better ball movement, tallying eight assists to Boise State’s four.

Emilia Long provided vital support for Fresno State with 18 points and three assists, while Ava Marr and Indiya Clarke each added nine points. The Bulldogs’ efficiency was notable, scoring 75 points on just 74 possessions for an offensive rating of 101.6, while Boise State managed 69 points on 80 possessions for a rating of 86.7.

The victory represents a significant momentum shift for Fresno State as it navigates the final stretch of conference play. For Boise State, the loss halts a streak of strong performances and underscores the competitive balance within the Mountain West, where the Broncos had previously defeated the Bulldogs by eight points just three weeks earlier. Both teams continue conference play on the road this weekend.