Colorado State University Athletics
Game Notes: CSU visits Denver
11/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2009
Colorado State visits Denver...
The Rams, off to their best start since the 2003-04 season, travel south to the University of Denver to take on the Pioneers. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT on Wednesday from Magness Arena (7,200).
Denver enters the contest with a 0-1 record after a tough loss to Wyoming, 65-62. Senior Ashly Robinson and sophomore Kaetlyn Murdoch recorded double-doubles, and junior Britteni Rice had a game-high 16 points, but the team was unable to overcome the Cowgirls' top-three shooters.
The game will be broadcast live on AM 1410 KIIX. Matt Wozniak, in his first season behind the mic for the Rams, calls all the action. Live game audio will also be available via Rams All-Access subscription on CSURams.com.
Live statistics are available on DenverPioneers.com and a streaming video feed is available with a subscription.
Rams vs. Pioneers series...
Wednesday’s meeting between Colorado State and Denver marks the 21st overall meeting between the two schools, who have squared off in each of the last six seasons since renewing the rivalry in 2003.
The Rams, who had won 11 consecutive matchups in the series from 1980-2005, have lost fourconsecutive games to Denver, including a 53-69 home loss in 2008.
About Denver...
Denver hosts the Rams with an overall record of 0-1 to start the season, behind the guidance of second-year head coach Erik Johnson.
Last season the Pioneers finished with a 16-15 record, improving their 2007-08 record by six wins.
The Pioneers return three starters and six letterwinners from the 2008-09 season. Junior guard Britteni Rice leads Denver, who averaged 11.6 points per game last season. Senior Ashly Robionson led the team in rebounds with 7.8 per game and sophomore Kaetlyn Murdoch was second in points per game with 9.7.
MWC Player of the Week...
Sophomore guard/forward Kim Mestdagh was named the Mountain West Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week, marking her first career honor.
Mestdagh has averaged 19.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game since the start of the season. She pulled down seven rebounds and led the team with 17 points on 5-of-14 (.357) shooting, including 5-of-7 (.714) from the free-throw line, during Colorado State's season-opening victory over Montana (72-64). Twelve of her points came in the second half.
The Ieper, Belgium, native went on to tally 21 points and six rebounds in an 85-60 win over Wichita State. Mestdagh shot 75 percent (3-of-4) from three-point range and 70 percent (7-of-10) from within the arc. She also went 4-for-5 (.800) from the free-throw line in the contest.
Heimstra Heats up...
In the first two games this season sophomore forward Meghan Heimstra has scored a total of 33 points and 20 rebounds. Against Montana on Nov. 13, the Longmont native had a career-high 11 rebounds and 16 points for the team's first double-double of the season.
Last time out...
The Colorado State women's basketball team defeated Wichita State Sunday, 85-60, at Moby Arena.
Wichita State came out with high pressure defense but the Rams didn't panic and worked the ball inside and got to the foul line. The Rams made 22 free throws on 35 attempts compared to the Shockers going 7-for-16 from the line.
The Rams defense looked stifling as they held Wichita to 35 percent shooting from the field. In both games this season the Rams have held their opponents to under 40 percent shooting as they held Montana to 38 percent Friday night.
International flavor...
Fans will notice that the 2009-10 Rams roster features many international players. Three sophomores from the Rams’ squad are from Europe. Guard/forward Kim Mestdagh hails from Ieper, Belgium, while forward Chatilla van Grinsven (Helmond) and Natalie van den Adel (Barendrecht) are both from the Netherlands.
Homegrown talent...
In addition to the three international players on the CSU roster, the Rams also feature three players from Colorado.
Junior guard Sara Hemmings graduated from Greeley West High School as a five-sport athlete, and played one season at the University of Northern Colorado before transferring to the University of Arizona and then coming to CSU. Sophomore forward Meghan Heimstra is a former two-time all-Colorado peformer at Silver Creek High School in nearby Longmont, Colo., and freshman guard Kelly Bond led her team to a city championship and a Final 8 appearance at Longmont High School.
Fresh faces...
The Rams have five newcomers this season with three freshmen and two junior transfers. Freshman Chantel Kennedy looks to bring speed to the team this season. At Wesleyan High School in Norcross, Ga., Kennedy set a school record in track relays and was the state and regional champion in the 400 meter dash.
Meixandra Porter, a freshman guard from Freedom High School in Chantilly, Va., is said to be the most athletic player on the team pound for pound. At 5-6, she presses 170 pounds.
Holt holding court...
Second-year Head Coach Kristen Holt has led the Rams to their best start in six years in her second season at the helm of the Rams’ program. Last season, Holt improved the Rams' overall record by six wins and improved conference wins by four games. She has installed a fast-paced offense this season in order to continue building a program of excellence at Colorado State.
Up next...
The Rams will head to Indiana on Sunday to take on Valparaiso. The game, which is slated to begin at 12:30 p.m. MT, will mark the third meeting between the two teams. The Rams and Crusaders series is currently tied at 1-1, with both games at Moby Arena. This will be the Rams first trip to Valpo.