CHARLOTTE AMALIE WEST, U.S. Virgin Islands (Interstat) — In a back-and-forth battle defined by explosive offensive quarters and a frantic final minute, the Boise State Broncos outlasted the Tulane Green Wave 81-76 in a non-conference women’s basketball game Friday at the U.V.I. Sports and Fitness Center.

The contest, played before an intimate crowd of 133, saw both teams trade significant scoring runs, with Boise State’s dominant third quarter proving to be the ultimate difference-maker.

Tulane started strong, taking an early lead and finishing the first quarter with a 16-19 deficit. The Green Wave’s offense, however, went cold in the second period, managing just seven points as the Broncos built a 36-23 halftime advantage.

The game dramatically shifted in the third quarter, but not in the way Tulane hoped. While the Green Wave’s offense awoke to pour in 23 points, the Broncos were nearly unstoppable, erupting for 29 points to take a commanding 65-46 lead into the final frame.

Refusing to capitulate, Tulane mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback. The Green Wave unleashed a 30-point period, relentlessly chipping away at the Broncos’ cushion. The comeback bid was fueled by a series of clutch three-pointers and defensive stops, closing the gap to a single possession in the game’s final seconds.

However, Boise State did just enough to hold on. Key free throws from Libby Hutton in the waning moments pushed the lead back to five, and a final defensive stand, capped by a steal from Dani Bayes with one second left, sealed the victory for the Broncos.

Boise State was led by a stellar backcourt performance. Dani Bayes, a guard from Brisbane, Australia, scored 20 points and dished out five assists, orchestrating the offense for much of the night. Her backcourt mate, Mya Hansen of Billings, Montana, added 10 points.

The Broncos also received major contributions in the frontcourt. Tatum Thompson, a 6-foot-1 forward from Woodinville, Washington, was a force, scoring 19 points and matching Bayes with five assists. Natalie Pasco from Danville, California, provided a crucial scoring punch off the bench with 15 points.

For Tulane, the loss overshadowed spectacular individual efforts. Mecailin Marshall, a 5-foot-10 guard from Abernathy, Texas, caught fire in the second half, finishing with a game-high 21 points in just 24 minutes of action. Kanija Daniel, a 5-foot-10 guard from Carrollton, Georgia, was equally formidable, scoring 20 points, grabbing two rebounds, and recording a block in 31 minutes.

The Green Wave’s offense also ran through guard Kendall Sneed of China, Texas, who facilitated the attack with a game-high nine assists to go along with eight points. Amira Mabry, a 6-foot forward from Converse, Texas, provided interior scoring with 11 points.

Statistically, the game was remarkably even. Both teams scored heavily in the paint, with Tulane holding a slight 32-30 edge, and points off turnovers were nearly identical, with Boise State leading 18-15. The difference came down to Boise State’s ability to sustain offensive firepower across three quarters, overcoming Tulane’s late surge.

With the win, Boise State continues its strong start to the season, improving its record to 7-1. The Broncos have now won three straight games since their lone loss to Colorado on Nov. 18.

Tulane falls to 3-4 with the hard-fought defeat. The Green Wave were looking to build on a 64-61 victory over Elon from the previous day but instead dropped their fourth game in the last six outings.

Both teams now look ahead to their respective schedules. Tulane returns home to face Missouri State on Dec. 4. Boise State’s next contest is at home against California Baptist on Dec. 6.