BOISE – The last time Gordy Presnell took a mug shot was when he got hired in 2005.
The photo is still up on his bio page.
“That’s a sore subject with some people,” the longtime Boise State women’s basketball coach said with a laugh. “I took it one time and I’ll just keep it there until they switch it.
“I must of been 43 when I took that picture. So I still look 43 in some (ways).”
But a lot of other things have changed.
Eighteen years later, Presnell added to his historic resume with the Broncos. He picked up his 200th career win at Extra Mile Arena following a 70-53 victory over UC Davis Wednesday night.
“I love our arena,” Presnell said. “Sometimes in the summer when things are getting a little busy or whatever, I’ll walk over here and sit up in the stands.
“I’ve always just felt really honored and blessed to get to coach here.”
Presnell is the school’s all-time winningest coach. He’s now 340-228 with the Broncos. Presnell also has 736 career wins – 34th all-time in NCAA history – in his 37th year coaching.
Boise State has been to the NCAA Tournament six times, claimed six conference tournament titles and won four regular-season championships during his tenure.
“I think it’s awesome that he’s just been here for so long,” said sophomore guard Natalie Pasco who scored a game-high 21 points. “He’s really dedicated to our program. He loves what he does, obviously. He’s been here for some years. But he just keeps us motivated every day and sticks it out with us.”
Presnell’s first career home win came all the way back on Nov. 21, 2005. The Broncos routed Sacramento State 80-52 that day in what was also just his second career game with the program.
“I had brown hair,” Presnell said when asked about that game. “These crow’s feet on the side of my face here, yeah they weren’t there.
“If I remember right, I had a friend coaching on the other team. I was excited to be here and nervous. Those were pretty good memories way back when.”
A lot more have been made since.
Presnell pointed to a 70-66 win over New Mexico on March 4, 2019 as his personal favorite. It allowed the Broncos to celebrate a Mountain West regular-season championship in front of their fans.
Several more were on hand Wednesday to witness the history-making moment. Although they weren’t exactly sure if it was going to have to wait another day.
Boise State (6-1) never trailed, but had maybe its worst first half of the season.
The Broncos went just 10-of-31 (32.3%) from the field and turned the ball over nine times. They only made consecutive shots twice for the entire half. It all allowed the Aggies (2-4) to trail just 29-26 at the break following a 14-0 first-quarter deficit.
But thankfully, Boise State has Pasco to keep itself afloat.
She scored eight unanswered points in the second quarter. Pasco was the only player to make more than one basket by going 3-of-4 from the field. Everyone else was a combined 3-of-13.
“She was really big,” said senior forward Elodie Lalotte who added 14 points, six rebounds and three steals off the bench. “Natalie hitting those 3s opened up the floor for us as well. It was really important for her to make those and she did.”
Pasco finished with five 3-pointers on the night. Most of those came in the second half when the Broncos were finally able to pull away.
UC Davis tied the game up at 31-31 a little more than two-and-a-half minutes into the third quarter.
But it was short-lived.
Five seconds later, Pasco drained a three-pointer and the Aggies were unable to get any closer.
She put them away for good with another personal 8-0 run. This one came late in the fourth quarter. Pasco hit a pair of 3-pointers with a driving lay-in mixed in all with a 95-second span. It all gave the Broncos a 67-47 advantage – their biggest lead of the game -with 3:24 remaining.
She shot 50% from both the field and 3-point range.
“It just starts in the summer with practicing and just shooting every day getting those reps,” Pasco said. “So just being able to come out and contribute and score and help my team, just means a lot.”
Fellow sophomore guard Mya Hansen also reached double figures in scoring with 11 points. She was 3-of-5 from beyond-the arch to go along with four rebounds and three assists.
And senior forward Abby Muse, who entered the game leading the nation in blocks per game (4.2) tacked on two more. She also owned the boards with 15. Her six offensive rebounds were more than the Aggies had for the entire game with four.
“I just told her earlier this morning she was nationally ranked because I let her block me at practice,” said Lalotte in jest. “But she’s really good. She’s really long. She’s doing a good job staying up and getting clean blocks. She’s a really good defender.”
Boise State heads to Eastern Washington on Sunday for a 3 p.m. MT tip off on ESPN+ and 670 KBOI AM.
