Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
10-7 (1-3MWC)
San Diego State
6-10 (1-2MWC)
Late Rally Falls Short For Women's Basketball
1/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Colorado State women?s basketball team rallied late in the second half, but it was not enough as the Rams fell to San Diego State, 58-55 in Cox Arena in San Diego. Colorado State falls to 1-3 in Mountain West Conference action and 10-7 overall, while the Aztecs improve to 6-10 on the season and 1-2 in league action.
Colorado State sophomore forward Melissa Dennett was the only Ram in double figures in scoring, leading the team with 14 points. Sophomore center Lindsay Thomas had a game-high 10 rebounds, marking the sixth time this year she has brought down at least 10 boards in a game. Senior guard Jasai Ferrucho led the team with six assists and Thomas had four blocked shots, tying for the third most in school history in a single game. The Rams did make 8-of-9 from the free throw line and freshman guard/forward Annika Walseth sunk a career-high three three-pointers, all late in the second half.
The Rams did not score in the first 6:09 of the second half after not scoring the final 4:02 of the first half and the Aztecs used a 12-0 run during that span to open up a 13-point lead in the game. Senior forward Joy Jenkins then hit two big three-pointers to ignite an 11-0 run to come within two, 35-33 with 11:58 left in the game.
?Annika hit some big shots for us,? said head coach Chris Denker.
San Diego State was led by the two freshmen guards, Courtney Fritz and Michelle Elliott with 15 points each and the pair combined to hit eight three-pointers. Junior transfer Lindsey Casey led the team with seven rebounds and senior forward Nicolette McCartny led all players with seven assists.
?What it really comes down to is the outcome of the game,? said Denker. ?People don?t care about moral victories or if you outrebound someone. They care about wins and losses.?
With San Diego State leading 56-55 with just over a minute to play, the Rams drove the length of the floor and Jenkins missed a shot with around 42 seconds left. San Diego State got the rebound and ran down the clock, getting called for a shot clock violation. The game clock read 11.8, but one second was added after the officials reviewed the film. Colorado State again drove the length of the floor and Ferrucho was stripped by Fritz with time running out. Jenkins committed a foul, and after another film review, 2.8 seconds was placed on the clock. Elliott missed the first free throw and Casey grabbed the rebound, was fouled by Thomas, made both of her free throws and got the win for the Aztecs.
Colorado State will face Wyoming on Friday in Laramie. The Cowgirls play at UNLV later this evening.
