Patton forces Broncos into submission

SMU used a 12-1 run fueled by the play of senior guard Kenni Patton to force Boise State (9-16, 6-9) into submission, ending a five-game losing streak. The Mustangs (13-13, 7-9) dominated much of the second half before winning 78-61. Patton netted 23 points and tied a school record for three-pointers made in a game.

“With junior guard and leading scorer Andrea Cossey battling a strained right thumb, the eroding Mustangs needed someone to step up to end their dry spell.

SMU came out of the gate a little slow, taking nearly five minutes to score its first basket on a jumper by sophomore guard Tiara Cruse.

After taking a 7-6 lead with 13:26 to go in the first half, the Mustangs would not trail by more than three points.

Patton had only six points at halftime. SMU led 33-31 entering the second half.

The Broncos were able to tie the game at 38 until Patton sank her third three-pointer of the game.

Patton and SMU’s other offensive weapons turned up the pressure on both ends of the floor. Leading by nine with less than seven minutes to play, SMU went on a 12-1 run. Patton scored five points and got two steals in the run.

Freshman guard Kendall Shead and senior post Kaci Alexander both scored eight points in the half. The Mustangs’ zone defense caused 11 turnovers in the second half alone, and 18 for the game.

“What took Boise out of their rhythm was when we went zone,” head coach Rhonda Rompola said. “Our defense was better because we hit shots.”

Patton finished the game with 23 points and made six straight three-pointers before missing her last three. She learned of the record during a time out and the team tried to push her to break it.

“I think I just got in a zone – that feeling where every time you shoot you know it’s going to go in,” Patton said. “I forgot about the record until there at the end when [coach] was trying to run a play for me.”

In addition to Patton’s 23 points, she had five steals and four rebounds.

“Kenni actually played a really good defensive game too,” Rompola said. “We tried to get her that last three. When you’re feeling it you’ve got to shoot it.”

Alexander led a dominated rebounding performance (40-30 in SMU’s favor) with 11 boards to go with 14 points. Shead finished with 10 points, four assists, two blocks and a steal.

“What we got from Kendall was scoring,” Rompola said. “Kendall’s got to score for us and I’m hoping this game gives her confidence.”

Patton came up one three shy of breaking the school record, having her last three attempts go in-and-out. Tying the record was only a sidebar to the end of SMU’s losing streak.

“It’s a huge relief,” Patton said. “Hopefully it’ll give us enough confidence to go in and beat UTEP.”