Austgulen, Tryggedsson lead Rams past Utah State, 56-45

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FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Colorado State's Stine Austgulen and Sofie Tryggedsson combined for nine three-point field goals and 31 points to lead the Rams to a 56-45 victory over the Utah State Aggies on Wednesday night from Moby Arena.

Austgulen poured in a career-high 18 points on 6-for-9 shooting (5-for-8 three-point shooting), while Tryggedsson tallied 13 on 4-for-7 shooting (all three-point field goal attempts). For the game, Colorado State (11-5, 3-2 MW) was outshot by Utah State (3-13, 1-4 MW) 36 percent to 35 percent, but the Rams finished the game shooting 44 percent (12-for-27) from beyond the three-point arc. Hannah Tvrdy added two three-pointers, while Callie Kaiser accounted for the remaining one. Tvrdy finished with eight points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Kaiser ended up with nine points.

Colorado State shot just 3-for-12 in the first quarter and fell behind Utah State, 10-8, heading to the second. However, CSU's hot shooting from beyond the three-point line began at that point, as the Rams unloaded five three-pointers on just nine attempts before reaching halftime. Three of those three-pointers – one made by Austgulen and two by Tryggedsson – came in the final two minutes of the half, as the Rams closed on a 13-3 run to take a 27-16 lead to the break.

Austgulen and Tryggedsson combined for three more three-point field goals in the third quarter, building CSU's advantage to 43-27 heading to the final period. That increased lead would prove important, as the Aggies took advantage of a CSU scoring drought that lasted 5:38 to narrow the score to 43-40.

Following a media timeout at the 4:40 mark, the Rams scored on their next four possessions, pushing the lead back to double digits at 53-41. The Aggies scored on an Olivia West layup to cut the lead to 53-43 with 1:27 to play, but that was as close as they would cut the Rams' lead before the final score.

IN THEIR WORDS
Colorado State head coach Ryun Williams
"Wow, did our kids guard tonight - really, really great defensive effort. We just competed up and down the lineup. So that was going to be the key to our victory, and actually, we ran some really good offense, too. I think once we saw the ball go in the basket in that second quarter we kind of relaxed and then I thought we weathered their run. We answered their run, which shows me that our team…we're growing. We didn't fold, we kind of gritted our teeth and went on our own run. So I love how we finished the basketball game. But defensively, wow what a great job."

Senior guard Stine Austgulen
On regrouping in the fourth quarter:
"I think it was our defense mostly. I don't know if we relaxed too much or what, but we kept getting stops again and then it was easier on the other hand to start making shots, too."

Junior guard Sofie Tryggedsson
On having her best shooting performance in the past few games:
"It's always good, whether you've been in a slump or not. The team needed it, and we have fifteen great players. We just all have to step up."

NOTES
- Colorado State head coach Ryun Williams earned his 126th win as the Rams' head coach on Wednesday night. He moves three wins behind Tom Collen (129 wins as CSU head coach) for the most in program history.
- Prior to Wednesday night, Stine Austgulen's career-best single-game points total was 17, a tally she reached three times. Her most recent 17-point performance was against San Jose State on Dec. 30, 2017.
- Hannah Tvrdy's seven assists on Wednesday are a new season best and match her career best. She previously has seven assists on Jan. 14, 2017 at New Mexico.
- Colorado State has won 13 of its past 14 games against Utah State, dating back to the 1984-85 season.
- CSU recorded its 10th straight home win over Utah State. The Rams have not lost to the Aggies at home since the 1979-80 season (Feb. 29, 1980).
- The Rams are now 18-9 all-time against Utah State.
- The Rams moved to 8-1 against Utah State in Ryun Williams' tenure.
- The Rams' record improved to 5-0 at home against Utah State under Williams.
- The Rams have won 11 of their past 12 regular-season Mountain West games.
- Wednesday's victory marked the Rams' third win in their past four games, as well as the Rams' fourth win in their past five home games.

UP NEXT
The Colorado State women's basketball team remains home this Saturday for a Border War matchup with the Wyoming Cowgirls. Opening tip from Moby Arena is slated for 2 p.m. MT.

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