Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
3-0
BYU
1-2
Women's Basketball Recap: Rams stay perfect with gritty win
11/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Athletics Communications
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The Colorado State Rams knew that their game against former conference foe, BYU, would teach them a lot about the type of team they had for the 2015-16 season. The look on their faces at the final buzzer said it all as the Rams improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2003-04 with a 61-55 win over the Cougars.
The win snapped a 17-game losing streak for CSU against BYU, and avenged a loss in Salt Lake City last year that still resonated with the team. The Rams were led by senior guard Keyora Wharry with 14 points and six rebounds and junior forward Elin Gustavsson, who finished the day with 12 points and eight rebounds, including five crucial offensive rebounds.
CSU got the scoring started with a basket just 39 seconds into the contest and never looked back. The Rams extended their lead to as much as 11 points at 13-2 in the first quarter and held a seven-point advantage heading into the second quarter. In the second quarter, CSU’s offense continued to click led by a fierce defense, with the Rams taking a 33-24 lead into halftime.
The second half was sure to test the Rams though, with BYU switching into a trapping zone defense that gave CSU some trouble and caused lots of turnovers. Lacking much offensive rhythm in the second half though, CSU relied on its stingy defense to propel itself to victory. The Rams held the Cougars to just 33.3 percent shooting in the game and forced 20 turnovers which it converted into 13 points.
For the third time in as many games, the Rams led from start to finish and are yet to trail this season. In 120 minutes of action, the Rams have led for 117:33.
IN THEIR WORDS…
“That was just a really gutty, gritty win for our basketball team against a really good, mature BYU team. Their guard play is really good. I’m glad I don’t have to guard (Lexi) Rydalch again; that kid is a special basketball player. It was a good win for our program, we learned a lot. We played well, we played poorly, but the main thing we did is we kept fighting, kept competing, and we always had the lead. We never gave up and we never gave in.” – CSU Head Coach Ryun Williams
“This group likes to compete. We have some intelligence and we have some kids who’ve played in our system a little bit. I think we are better defensively than we were last year. Our offense is a work in progress. You saw some good stuff in the first half, and some stuff that needs worked on in the second (half). We have a ways to go on that end of the floor, but defensively, that’s going to win us games early and keep us in games to where we have a chance to win down the stretch.”
“Of course we are going to be happy now, but tomorrow is a new day. You have to work hard and be ready for the next game.” – CSU junior forward Elin Gustavsson
“You get confident, but you have to look at what’s coming up. The teams (coming up) are just as good if not better, so you can’t get too confident.” – CSU senior guard Keyora Wharry
STAT OF THE GAME…
• 17 – The Rams snapped a 17-game losing skid to BYU on Saturday night.
NOTES…
• CSU moved to 3-0 for the first time since the 2003-04 season.
• The Rams held BYU to 55 points, the third consecutive opponent to score less than 60 points against the Rams. CSU is now giving up 44.7 points per game.
• After outscoring BYU in both the first and second quarter, the Rams moved their streak up to 10 consecutive quarters of outscoring their opponents.
• CSU knocked down 13-of-14 free throws.
• The Rams are yet to trail this season, leading for 117:33 of 120 possible minutes.
• CSU forced 20 turnovers in the game. The Rams are now forcing 24.3 turnovers per contest.
NEXT UP…
Colorado State takes to the road for the first of its three-game road trip when it travels to Philadelphia to take on Penn University on Tuesday, Nov. 24. The game will tip off at 5 p.m. MT. Fans can follow along on the radio at 1410 KIIX and on twitter at @CSURamsWBB and @CSURamsGameday.
