LAS VEGAS, Nevada – The Utah State women’s basketball team fought for 40 minutes but came up short, closing the 2022-23 season with a 66-58 loss to Boise State.

No. 11 USU (4-26, 1-18) faced the No. 6 Boise State Broncos (17-15, 12-7) in the first round of the 2023 Women’s Mountain West Championships.

Broncos beat the Aggies. @BroncoSportsWBB moves on!

📺 Mountain West Network#MWMadness | #MakingHerMark | #BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/DBPc8rmWek

— Mountain West (@MountainWest) March 6, 2023

Utah State ended the regular season on a 12-game losing streak in head coach Kayla Ard’s third season at the helm. Graduate senior guard Maria Carvalho led the Aggies, averaging 10.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

The Broncos fell in their final regular-season game, coming up on the wrong end of a 66-51 result against Colorado State on February 28. Boise State swept two games against USU this season. In Logan on January 7, Boise State won 73-56. On February 18, the Aggies struggled to an 89-41 loss. It was the first of three consecutive 40+ point losses for USU near the end of the season.

RELATED: Women’s Mountain West Tournament Bracket, Schedule Released For 2023 Season

Tamiah Robinson led Utah State in scoring for the ninth time, finishing with 20 points. Ashya Klopfenstein scored 12 points, all in the final period. Mayson Kimball finished with a ten point, ten rebound double-double while Maria Carvalho added ten.

Mya Hansen led the Broncos with 20 points. Dani Bayes added 11 points while Elodie Lalotte contributed ten points and nine rebounds in the win.

First Quarter

After falling behind 6-0, Carvalho got the Aggies on the board with an old-fashioned three-point play that cut the Bronco lead in half.

💪AND ONE💪

Carvalho gets us on the board in the MW tourney!#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/NZPPiaek51

— USU Women's Hoops (@USUWBasketball) March 6, 2023

The Broncos built an early 13-3 advantage thanks to a 1-for-12 shooting start from the Aggies.

Utah State trailed 18-8 after ten minutes.

Carvalho scored six of the Aggies eight points. Boise State was limited to 35 percent shooting (7-of-20) but led thanks to a 3-for-17 start from USU.

Second Quarter

Tamiah Robinson gave Utah State some energy with a pair of steals that turned into lay-ups on the other end.

Robinson and Mayson Kimball led a 7-0 run, fueled by three straight made shots, to get the Aggies within six midway through the quarter.

🚫NOT TODAY🚫

Robinson and Kimball with back-to-back rejections!#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/XnPcWrS9tI

— USU Women's Hoops (@USUWBasketball) March 6, 2023

Kimball scored eight second quarter points, adding a team-high five rebounds, to keep Utah State within striking distance at the half. Boise State led 34-26.

Carvalho’s 10 points led all-scorers while Dani Bayes scored nine for the Broncos.

Third Quarter

Junior guard Kinley Falslev-Wickizer hit a DEEP three early in the third quarter but Boise State began to pull away.

Kinley from DEEP range!#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/y23jNBPjTr

— USU Women's Hoops (@USUWBasketball) March 6, 2023

Elodie Lalotte overwhelmed the Aggie defense, scoring eight points on a perfect 4-of-4 from inside the paint to give Boise State a 45-34 lead with 4:49 left in the quarter.

USU’s offense went quiet, shooting 33.3 percent (5-of-15). Robinson scored eight of Utah State’s 14 points in the period.

Boise State held a 54-40 lead heading into the final quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Senior forward Ashya Klopfenstein became the fourth Aggie to reach double-figures, scoring the first ten points of the quarter for USU. Despite the effort, Boise State led by 11 with 4:38 remaining.

Ashya finishing the layup down low!#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/IW8cqQfs38

— USU Women's Hoops (@USUWBasketball) March 6, 2023

Boise State held on down the stretch to win 66-58. The Broncos continue their run in the 2023 Mountain West Championships tomorrow against #3 Colorado State.

Coverage of Utah State University Athletics from KSL Sports can be found here. 

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