Boise State women defeat CSUN 82-59 behind freshman performance
Zia-Daye Anderson recorded 10 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the Broncos' third game of the season.
By Justin Brooks ·
Boise State women's basketball defeated California State Northridge 82-59 at ExtraMile Arena on Tuesday to improve its record to 3-0. The Broncos extended their winning streak despite starting the game behind, as a group of underclassmen took control of the offensive production.
Freshman Zia-Daye Anderson was the most active player on the floor. She finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Her stat line placed her on pace for a triple-double at halftime, a feat accomplished only three times in program history. Coach Gordy Presnell noted that Anderson averaged 35 points and six rebounds in high school last year. Presnell stated that it is hard to stay in front of her defensively.
The Broncos relied heavily on their younger players. They had just one senior on the roster. Freshmen and sophomores combined for 52 of the team's 82 points. Sophomore Izzie Harms led the team with a career-high 16 points. Other scoring contributors included sophomores Morgan Maldonado with seven points, Mason Borcherding with six, Keirra Thompson with six, and Kenna Garza with five. Freshman Mason Quinn added two points.
Junior Libby Hutton, the team's only returning starter, played a limited role. She picked up her second foul five minutes into the game and sat out the remainder of the first half. Hutton played 13 total minutes. The Broncos trailed 9-3 at that point but did not lose their composure. Harms said the bench had to play due to foul trouble and that the team has a deep bench.
CSUN scored the first nine points of the game and led 12-5 with four minutes left in the first quarter. A layup by Borcherding started a 9-0 run for the Broncos. Harms made two free throws with 35 seconds left in the first quarter to give Boise State a 14-12 lead. The Broncos did not trail for the rest of the contest.
Anderson said the team knew they had to punch back after getting punched on early in the game. She described her performance as playing like herself and playing the game. Presnell expressed excitement about the effort from the younger players. He noted that 14 of the 15 players on the roster have three years of eligibility remaining.
The Broncos graduate Abby Muse, who recorded the third triple-double in program history in 2024, from last season. Presnell sees similarities in intensity between Muse and Anderson, despite their different positions and sizes. Muse was a 6-foot-3 forward, while Anderson is a 5-foot-7 guard.
