PUEBLO, Colo. – The Regis University Women's Basketball team pushed Colorado State University to overtime in an RMAC battle on Saturday afternoon, but narrowly lost, 78-82. The Rangers fall to 0-11 (0-8 RMAC), while the Thunderwolves improve to 9-7 (5-3 RMAC).
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Rangers' first basket was an and-one, offensive rebound put back from Kaylin Venick, followed by a layup, assisted by Venick, by Emily Allison. The teans traded three-pointers before CSUP went on a short run for a 16-10 lead. Kate Gallery scored from deep and in the paint to end the run, and neither team was able to score for the last two minutes, and RU trailed 16-19 going into the first break.
The Pack started the second with two threes from Ruby Sweeney-Spitzeck, but the Rangers tempered the hot start with a Jessica Bollwahn layup and Allison and-one. However, Sweeney-Spitzeck connected on two more threes, but Bollwahn responded with one of her own. Savanna Staff added one of her own, and Venick closed out the half with a deep jumper, bringing the score to 36-37.
Gallery eanred a steal early in the third, while Bollwahn and Staff scored in the paint to keep the score close. Mary Crossland grabbed an offensive rebound that led to a Gallery layup, then directgly assisted her on another. Gallery continued to lead the offense, connecting on a three and a layup to tie the game at 54-54, but Pueblo scored twice in the final 34 seconds to take a 58-54 lead.
Gallery stayed hot, hitting a jumper to open the final quarter, and Bollwahn scored four points in a quick 7-0 run to give RU their first lead of the game, 65-63 with 5:35 left. While CSUP was able to take back a three-point advantage, Crossland found Bollwahn in the lane for a layup, and Gallery scored out of a timeout for the one-point lead. With under a minute left, Pueblo earned a pair of trips to the line, hitting all four to go back up three. However, Gallery would not let the Rangers die, banking a deep three to send the game to overtime.
The Thunderwolves hit a three early in extra time, and while Bollwahn hit two from the stripe, and Venick scored in the paint, Pueblo's threes outpaced the Rangers. Despite a late steal from Crossland, the Rangers ultimately fell, 78-82.
GAME NOTES
· Gallery led the Rangers with 28 points and 10 rebounds, both career-highs
· She also earned three steals
· Bollwahn added her career-best 20 points and nine rebounds
· Venick contributed 12 points and seven boards
· Sweeney-Spitzeck posted a game-high 29 points
· Dasani Nesbit grabbed 10 rebounds
· Regis recorded 10 more offensive boards, 15-5, leading to 10 more second-chance points, 13-3
· RU scored 38 points in the paint, compared to 20 by CSUP
UP NEXT
The Rangers' next game is at cross-town rival, Metropolitan State University of Denver on January 20 at 5:30 pm.
