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Women’s basketball prepares for final homestand
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The Boise State women’s basketball team is rolling with 11 consecutive wins, and with three games left to play, the Broncos have high expectations to earn the top bid in the Western Athletic Conference tournament.
The remaining three games will all be against conference opponents, and they will decide who sits atop the WAC standings. BSU is 11-2 in the WAC and currently tied with Fresno State for the No. 1 Seed, due to Fresno State’s recent loss to Utah State.
“Our goal was to defend our WAC title,” BSU Head Coach Gordy Presnell said. “It’s going to come down to the wire.”
The Broncos are getting ready for two games that will take place this Thursday and Saturday at home. First for the women will be San Jose State, who has a less-than-impressive 2-24 overall record.
Then on Saturday the Broncos will host Hawai’i for Senior Night. Both games this weekend are calling for some fan involvement – an “orange out” from the crowd.
In Thursday’s game against San Jose, the Broncos will be going for their 12th consecutive win.
Their last match-up with the Spartans was Jan. 31, when BSU overpowered SJSU 78-51. The Spartans have continued to struggle ever since. They’ve lost their last eight games, putting them at the bottom of the WAC standings with the University of Idaho.
Saturday’s game is against Hawai’i, a team which has had its ups and downs. Hawai’i is 10-15 on the season and 3-8 in WAC play. The Rainbow Wahine’s three wins come from WAC teams with records below .500.
Saturday is a huge game for the Broncos, not only to send the seniors out with style, but also because there is the possibility of winning 13 in a row and finishing the season undefeated at home.
“We control our own destiny,” Coach Presnell said. “That makes it fun.”
BSU’s final game is away at Utah State. The Aggies are another WAC team that has struggled throughout the year. Their overall record is 9-16 (5-8 in the WAC).
The Broncos’ three final games are against conference opponents that make up the bottom of the WAC standings.
It won’t be easy, but the final three games appear to be favorable for a BSU repeat as regular season champions.
A final farewell…
Jackie Lee
Jackie Lee has been the starting forward since her sophomore season at Boise State. She averaged 7.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 23.5 minutes of action per game in her junior year. Lee was also sixth on team in scoring, third in rebounding and second in assists. She was ranked eighth in WAC for three-point percentage.
Before making her way to Boise, Lee graduated in 2004 from Agua Fria High School in Avondale, Ariz. When she was in her senior year of high school she was a McDonald’s All-American nominee. When asked about her time at BSU, Lee had nothing but good things to say.
“I liked it a lot here.” Lee said. “I liked how over the years our team got better and how our relationships with the fans grew.”
She also said that she is excited for her final home game as a Bronco, even though it may be a hard reality to face when Saturday finally arrives.
“I am looking forward to the game,” Lee said. “But as it’s getting closer I’m realizing that it’s going to be the last time I play here.”
Being able to enjoy so much success at BSU, Lee said she has had many memories as a Bronco.
“My best memory here was obviously being apart of the change in the program,” Lee said. “But more recently the overtime game versus New Mexico State. It was a pretty memorable game. Being able to pull that off was great.”
Amanda Stewart
Amanda Stewart played in all 33 games as a reserve center her junior year, averaging 2.7 points and 3.0 rebounds in 13.8 minutes of action per game. She shot 48.8 percent from floor and 50 percent from the free throw line.
Stewart recorded 88 points, 98 rebounds, 14 assists, nine steals and 15 blocks on the season.
Before coming to Boise State Stewart graduated in 2004 from Marsing High School. In her senior year of high school she led her team to its first state tournament appearance in 25 years.
During high school she was also a two-time all-state honoree as a junior and senior, four-time All-Western Idaho Conference honoree and a league MVP her junior year.
Talking with her earlier this week, she said her experiences at BSU were summed up in a word:
“Good,” Stewart said laughing. “It’s an experience that I’ll always remember.”
BSU was home for plenty of memories for Stewart as well.
“My best memory was winning the WAC championship last year,” Stewart said.
Amanda suffered a knee injury on Jan. 21 against Hawai’i. They are hoping she will be ready to play for senior night on Saturday.
BRAD WEIGLE
Sports Writer
