Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
3-1
Penn
4-1
Women's Basketball Recap: Late comeback downs Rams
11/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Athletics Communications
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Playing in the historic Palestra for the first time, nicknamed the Cathedral of College Basketball, the Colorado State Rams dominated the game for much of the time, but ultimately fell victim to Penn’s late comeback, 49-48 to move to 3-1 on the year.
The Rams took 70 shots compared to Penn’s 47 shots, thanks in large part to 18 offensive rebounds. CSU out-rebounded Penn 47-39, and committed just eight turnovers compared to Penn’s 10, but second half shooting struggles plagued the Rams down the stretch.
CSU utilized a dominant 2nd quarter to open up a 30-25 lead at the half, which it extended to 42-34 at the end of the third quarter with its second-consecutive quarter of holding Penn to single digits. In the fourth quarter however, the tide turned as Penn opened up the quarter with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to one point.
From there, the two teams exchanged blows, offensively and defensively as neither team could create any separation down the stretch. Penn took the lead back with 3:58 eft in the game after a layup from Michelle Nwokedi, who finished with a game-high 25 points, but CSU quickly answered back. Penn took its biggest lead of the game at three points with just 58 seconds left in the game, but a quick basket from senior guard Keyorra Wharry, who registered a double-double with 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, gave the Rams a chance at the end.
CSU elected to play out the final defensive possession and was rewarded with the decision as Wharry deflected a ball off of a Penn player’s leg to give CSU the ball back with 13 seconds left. The Rams drew up a play to give Ellen Nystrom a mid-range jumper, but her shot bounced twice off the rim as time expired.
IN THEIR WORDS…
“We played hard. We played with great intensity, for the most part really good execution defensively, and I thought we battled pretty well on the glass. That wasn’t the issue. I don’t know if I’ve ever played in a game where we get 70 shots to their 47, eight turnovers to their 10, and out-rebound them by 10 and lose.” – CSU Head Coach Ryun Williams
“We’ve got to learn from this. We need to play with a little bit more maturity and poise. This is a good learning experience for us.” – CSU Head Coach Ryun Williams
STAT OF THE GAME…
• Senior guard Keyora Wharry registered the first double-double of the season for the Rams with 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting and a career-high 11 rebounds, including four offensive.
NOTES…
• Colorado State took a season-high 70 shots in the game, out-shooting Penn by 23 attempts.
• CSU started 6-of-15 from three before cooling off. The Rams hit just one of their last 16 three-point attempts, and missed their last 10 overall.
• The Rams have now given up less than 50 points in three of their four contests this year. CSU entered the game ranked 11th nationally in scoring defense.
• CSU committed a season-low eight turnovers.
• The Rams out-rebounded the Quakers 47-39, and 18-4 on the offensive glass.
• CSU held Penn to single-digit scoring in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters. The Rams have now held their opponents to single digits in six quarters this year.
NEXT UP…
• Colorado State now travels to Annapolis, Md. to take part in the Navy Classic. The Rams will square off against Morgan State on Friday, Nov. 27 at 1:30 p.m. MT. Fans can follow along on twitter at @CSURamsWBB and @CSURamsGameday.
