Behind 25 points and six rebounds from Liv Roberts, the Wyoming Cowgirls won at Boise State for the first time in three years Saturday, 66-51.

Wyoming (9-5, 2-1) used a big run at the end of the first and start of the second quarters to take control. They kept the lead in double figures most of the game, as they held the Broncos nearly 20 points under their scoring average.

UW head coach Joe Legerski said after the game, courtesy of the Learfield radio broadcast, a lot of credit goes to Liv Roberts and Taylor Rusk.

“We talked about that if Liv can get off to the start like she did today, it really relaxes everyone. Now as a group we need to continue to grow, because you can’t expect her to do that night in and night out especially going 9-of-9 from the field. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that. What an effort from a player to come up 25 points, six rebounds and 35 minutes of defense. Boise State puts tremendous pressure on you, pressing and doing different things. They made their run at the end and got it down with around 2 and a half minutes to go. The way Boise State shoots the ball, you have to come up with some big plays and Taylor hit two big threes that really gave us the cushion.”

Boise State held an 8-5 lead in the first quarter. The Cowgirls responded with a 21-2 run and built a 26-10 lead. It was 32-18 UW at halftime.

The lead grew to 18 points in the third quarter, at 45-27, on back-to-back three’s from Taylor Rusk.

An 11-3 run by the Broncos got them within nine, at 58-49. That’s as close as Boise State got.

Rusk nailed another pair of three-pointers with UW ahead 60-51 that closed it out. The Cowgirls held the Broncos scoreless over the final 2:54.

Wyoming shot 48 percent from the field and a season-best 62.5 percent (10-16) beyond the arc. They also held a 32-26 edge on the glass.

Roberts was nearly perfect on the day. She went 9-9 from the field, which included 2-2 from three, and was 5-7 at the line. Rusk added 12 points, five rebounds and five assists. Marta Gomez chipped in 11 off the bench.

Boise State (8-7, 2-2) was led by Riley Lupfer and Marta Hermida with 11 points apiece. They shot 31 percent in the game.

The Cowgirls return home Wednesday to face New Mexico at 6:30 p.m.

More From KOWB 1290