By Jose Trujillo (@jAy_Ay_T ):
In an amazing array of shooting, Boise State’s sophomore guard Riley Lupfer’s 27 points helped the Broncos (12-8, 6-3 MW) cruise pass the Spartans (6-13, 3-5 MW) 112-80 Wednesday night in the Event Center.
Coming off a two-game stretch where Lupfer sank 18-31 from long range, the Spartans understood she would need to be contained in order to come out on top.
But understanding is different than actually doing it. And tonight, Lupfer torched the Spartans.
“When she [Lupfer] gets it going, everyone else relaxes … so if your hands aren’t up and pressuring her, she will get it off,” said SJSU women’s basketball head coach Jamie Craighead.
On the night, Lupfer only missed three shots finishing 10-13 from the floor, including seven three’s on 10 attempts.
The 5-foot-9 sophomore guard propelled on her team as the Broncos shot 58 percent from the floor and hit 14-22 attempts from deep, good for 63 percent.
The 112 point total was a season high for the Broncos.
Rebounding, as it has all season, hurt the Spartans. SJSU finished -27 in the collecting department, adding to the statistical riddle rebounds have had on them all season: When you lose the rebound battle, you lose the game. That occurred again Wednesday night.
“It’s a matter of how many points your giving up on the other end,” said SJSU sophomore guard Megan Anderson. “We definitely have to stop giving the other team second chances on O-boards (offensive rebounds) and we have to close out on shooters.”
Anderson finished with a season high 15 points, all coming from three-point land. Taylor Turney added 16 points and three helpers. Myzhanique Ladd scored 15 points to go along with four rebounds.
For the Broncos, six players finished in double-digit scoring including all five starters. Junior guard Marta Hermida was two rebounds shy of a triple-double with 16 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds. Sophomore forward A’shanti Coleman added 14 points and three steals.
After the defeat, the Spartans sit ninth in the Mountain West women’s basketball standings while Boise State moves to second.
Yet as bad this performance was, the Spartans will have no time to dwell on the 32-point home blowout because their next challenge is even greater:
A trip to conference best Wyoming on Saturday.