Rams Start 2020-21 Campaign Wednesday Versus Regis

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FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The awaited season opener arrives for the Colorado State women's basketball team with its first tip-off Wednesday at 6 p.m. against Regis in front of just essential staff at Moby Arena.

The 2020-21 schedule looks vastly different due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The November 25th start date is the latest beginning of a season since 1975-76's December 3rd start. Additionally, Colorado State's shortened 24-game season is the lowest total games scheduled since 1977-78, which completed at 19 games.

Meanwhile on the court, the Rams are eager to put the up-and-down 2019-20 season in the rear view and will do so with a new look squad. Only two players – Tori Williams and Jamie Bonnarens – that started more than five games last year will be back. The Rams will have to replace their top-2 scorers and rebounders after losing Andrea Brady and Makenzie Ellis to graduation with the latter joining on as a graduate assistant. However, this group is more than equipped to fill the shoes.

Nine student-athletes have the opportunity to score their first points as a Ram on Wednesday. It would seem like a long time coming for two – Bengisu Alper and Sydney Mech – who spent all last season on the bench for their redshirt transfer season. This year, transfers Karly Murphy, Petra Farkas and McKenna Hofschild are eligible to get on the court immediately and contribute. The freshmen in the bunch include Ellie Boni, Cali Clark, Makayla Hemingway, and Maria Torres.

"The Rams are ready to play," head coach Ryun Williams said. "It's been a long road to get here and surely a long road ahead, but the ladies are very excited to get a chance to compete. Big shoutout to all involved who are helping make this season happen while keeping safety as the No. 1 priority. Our athletic administration and training staff have been unbelievable and are greatly appreciated for their tireless efforts!"

Revised Mountain West Schedule
• The new schedule features 10 two-game series with five home dates and five away opponents. The format calls for a day in between each game unless the two schools opt against it. League play will begin with at least one two-game series taking place before Christmas for all 11 teams. For Colorado State that starts with an away series against Fresno State on Dec. 3 and 4. Next, the Rams will host San Diego State at home on Dec. 10 and 12 prior to finishing play for the year against Denver.
• The plan reduces the regular season travel schedule by four weeks to help mitigate potential virus exposures.
• "We are just excited to have a schedule and be able to prepare for some games," head coach Ryun Williams said. "The conference did a tremendous job at adapting and completing a schedule that accommodates every institution."

Non-Conference Schedule
• As of now the Rams are set to have four non-conference games. The season opener against Regis on Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. initiates the new season. Colorado State's second non-conference opponent is a fellow Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference institution in Colorado Christian which will be played Nov. 28 at 1 p.m. in Fort Collins. The last current non-conference opponent scheduled is a home-and-home with Denver as the Pioneers come to Moby Arena on Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. and we return the favor on Dec. 18 at 6 p.m.

Mountain West Coaches' Preseason Poll
• In the MW coaches' preseason poll released last week, CSU was pinned to finish eighth after ending last season tied for ninth at 6-12 going into the tournament. The 10th-seeded Rams suffered a first-round loss to Air Force to end the season.

Roster Breakdown
• The top returners that averaged at least 15 minutes per game include Tori Williams (34.2 mpg, 9.2 ppg), Jamie Bonnarens (31.4 mpg, 9.4 ppg), and Lore Devos (22.2 mpg, 7.1 ppg).
• The other returners include center Liah Davis (16 GP, 4 GS), guard Katia Stamatelopoulos (24 GP, 3 GS), guard/forward Lauren Brocke (12 GP), and guard Alexis Eberhardt (4 GP).
• The two that watched from the bench last season were Sydney Mech (from Denver) and Bengisu Alper (from Maine) - both of which look to be active figures in the Ram lineup.
• Seven newcomers comprise the 2020-21 lineup. Cali Clark, Ellie Boni, Makayla Hemingway and Maria Torres are true freshman. Graduate forward Karly Murphy comes by way of Wisconsin-Green Bay where she started in 19 games last season. Coming in as a sophmore is guard McKenna Hofschild from Seton Hall - just two years removed from being a finalist for Minnesota's Miss Basketball. Junior college transfer Petra Farkas was a NJCAA honorable mention All-American at College of Souther Idaho and the region's player of the year.

Series History: Colorado State – Regis
Overall: CSU leads 2-0
In Fort Collins: 1-0
In Denver: 1-0
Current Streak: CSU, 2
Last Meeting: CSU 80, RU 58 (12/17/88) at RU
Largest Margin of Victory: ^ 22 points

A Colorado State Win Would Mean…
• The third straight season that Ryun Williams has started the Rams off with a win, making him 6-3 in all season opening games as Colorado State's head coach.

How to Follow Along
Attached: Game Notes.
Live Stats: https://csura.ms/WBBStats
Live Stream: Mountain West Network | https://csura.ms/Live
Radio: KARS 102.9 FM | https://csura.ms/Listen

For More on Colorado State Women's Basketball follow: Twitter – CSUWBasketball | Instagram – csuwbasketball | Facebook – @CSUWBasketball

- CSURams.com -

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