LAKEWOOD, Colo. – For the second game in as many days, the Regis University women's basketball team held their opponent, the Colorado Christian Cougars, to less than 50 points, with four Rangers finishing in double digits.

Thornton-native Sam Deem led the way on Sunday with her second double-double of the season, scoring 10 points and grabbing 15 rebounds for the Rangers (9-3 overall, 4-2 RMAC). 

Defensively, Regis capitalized on its 46 rebounds as they outscored the Cougars (8-4 overall, 4-2 RMAC) 24-4 in second chance points.

"The energy, effort, and intensity was high for 40 minutes which is so hard to do," said Regis women's basketball head coach, Molly Marrin. "The offensive board pursuit especially stood out and it was multiple people flying in for those extra opportunities. It was an inspiring display of gritty team basketball today."

How It Happened: While the Rangers might have gotten off to a slower start than normal, they quickly got to work and scored 21 points in the second, while the defense forced two back-to-back CCU turnovers in the first two minutes, and a total of four in the second.

Up 32-20 going into halftime, senior guard Erin Fry forced the Cougars' eighth turnover of the game at the 8:36 mark and missed a layup, but Regis' offense answered that miss with three back-to-back offensive rebounds that culminated in a Deem two-point shot to expand the lead to 14.

By the end of the game, Regis grabbed a total of 18 offensive boards, the most on the season. And of those 18 offensive rebounds, the Rangers were able to score 24 second chance points.

Alongside those 18 offensive rebounds were a staggering 18 assists, the most on the season, and a season-low three turnovers.

"24 points on 18 offensive boards is extremely hard to do and to see our aggressiveness there would make any coach happy," said Marrin. "To have 18 assists and 3 turnovers is almost unheard of. I'm extremely proud of our toughness and composure."

Back on the court was senior forward Morgan L. Smith, who was out at the beginning of the season due to injury. Smith joined Deem in double-digit scoring and led the Rangers with 14 points and was one rebound shy of a double-double.

"Sam had one of her best games of her career and did a great job of taking what the defense gave her and leading our rebounding effort with 15. Morgan continues to make more of an impact with each game and her post defense has been a huge addition for us," said Marrin.

Graduate student Josey Ryan contributed 12 points of her own, while junior guard Athena Saragoza shot a staggering 50% (4-for-8) from three and netted 13 points on the night.

Game Notes:

• Regis won the steals battle, 8-1
• Sunday's game was the second game in a row that Regis held opponents to less than 50 points
• Graduate student forward Morgan L. Smith led the Rangers in shooting, going 77.7% (7-for-9) from the field

Up Next: The Rangers have wrapped up their 2023 portion of the season, and look to open 2024 with a game against the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs on Jan. 2 at the Regis Field House. Tip off is set for 5 PM.

"UCCS continues to improve each game and will be aggressive on offense and defense and we'll be ready," said Marrin.