GOLDEN, Colo. – The Regis University women's basketball team opened their 2023-2024 season in explosive fashion on Friday as they put together a 22-point performance in the second quarter and did not give up the lead for the rest of the game in the 74-60 win over St. Edward's University.
Regis' (1-0 overall) defense also served a crucial role in Friday's game as they held St. Edward's (0-1 overall) to a 39.4% total shooting percentage from the floor.
"Toughness was on the board and I thought we showed that, diving on the floor, winning rebounding battles, I think we out-rebounded them by 11," said Regis women's basketball head coach, Molly Marrin. "So that's something that we know is going to continue to be a focus for us. We saw it in grabbing loose balls, drawing fouls, we were on the floor a lot, so I'm probably the most proud about that part."
How It Happened: A 22-0 run from the beginning of the second quarter to the 1:52 mark put the game out of reach for the Hilltoppers.
A seven-point performance from graduate student forward Sydney Speights and a six-point effort from La Visa-native Josey Ryan helped the Rangers inflate their lead to as many as 24 points in the second. Ryan finished the game with 23 points while Speights finished with 11.
"I think Josey all around had the biggest impact. Offensively, defensively, passing, shooting the three, attacking, I mean she was all over the place. It was really an inspiring effort," said Marrin. "Speights had nine rebounds, I challenged her to do that and get those and she stepped up. She had a few assists as well so she drew double teams and opened up some of those threes for everybody. I thought it was one of Speights' best games in her career for sure."
After the half, the Rangers led by 16 as the Hilltoppers began to mount their attempt at a comeback. St. Edward's put up a 20-spot in the third, but were unable to overcome Regis' defense who kept the lead at a healthy eight points thanks to multiple defensive stops.
"We talk about getting turkeys, and that's three defensive stops in a row and so our goal for the game is eight. I think we had 14 consecutive stops in a row and I can't tell you the last time a team I coached had 14 stops in a row," said Marrin. "It was a pretty incredible run and capitalizing on it made it a fun game."
In the fourth, the Hilltoppers did not go away quietly as they tried to score 18 different times, but were held to a measly 28.6% from the floor, and only 25.0% from beyond the arc.
In addition, the Rangers outrebounded St. Edward's, 44-33, with 34 of those coming as defensive rebounds.
Ryan finished with 23 points, going 5-for-8 (62.5%) from the arc and 57.1% (8-for-14) from the floor, while Speights finished with 11 points. Joining them in double-digit scoring was senior Erin Fry who recorded 13 total points.
Game Notes:
- With her 23 points, graduate student guard Josey Ryan eclipsed 1,000 total career points between her time at Regis and Wayne State College
- The Rangers outscored the Hilltoppers on turnovers, 19-16
- Regis owned the lead for a total of 35 minutes, 32 seconds
- Sam Deem and Sydney Speights tied for the lead in rebounds with 9
- The Rangers shot a whopping 48.0% (12-for-25) from the three-point line
Up Next: The Rangers return to Lockridge Arena to take on St. Mary's University on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 10 AM.
"I think they're similar in that they're both defensive-minded teams. We turned the ball over a little too much today and St. Ed's forced 17 turnovers," said Marrin. "St. Mary's is a similar team and they're going to be in attack mode. I think just making sure we're in the spots we need to be, rotating right and guarding the drive is what's going to help us tomorrow."
