Rams Eager for Post-Finals Game at Denver Friday

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – After a much needed four-day break physically and in the classroom for finals, the Rams return to action Friday at Hamilton Gymnasium in Denver to conclude the two-game series with the Pioneers. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT.

"We really needed the rest for our legs and to focus on our finals," Colorado State head coach Ryun Williams said. "We played a lot of games there in a short amount of time. I am confident that the break came at an opportune time and that we will be ready to go into this second DU game focused in what we envision to be another very challenging matchup."

The Rams handed the Pioneers an 85-62 loss last Sunday at Moby Arena. Lore Devos notched her fourth double-double of the season and third of the week, which garnered Mountain West Player of the Week honors. The 6-foot-1 senior guard averaged 19.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2 assists per game in Colorado State's 3-0 week.

Taking 3-of-4 from two top-4 projected Mountain West teams, including the reigning champions, has certainly gained the league's attention. The 3-1 Mountain West start is the best since the 2016-17 season for the Rams. It is the first 6-1 start since 2015-16 when the Rams went 31-2 overall and undefeated in the Mountain West at 18-0.

Pace and scoring are the biggest changes for these Rams as they have scored over 70 points in all seven games, surpassing last year's six. The last time CSU started a season with seven straight games over 70 points was 2001-02 - the seventh-highest scoring team in CSU history. That team had 578 points through seven games, while the 2020-21 Rams are at 625.

The Pioneers (2-4), led by first-time head coach Doshia Woods, were picked to finish seventh in The Summit League and had no preseason all-conference players, but have knocked off Colorado and Air Force in the early going. Sophomore Meghan Boyd dropped a career-high 29 against the Buffs before CSU limited her to 13 points last Sunday. New Mexico State kept her in check as well, holding her to 10 points in an 81-72 Tuesday loss for DU.

RAMS NOTEBOOK (Full Game Notes Attached)

How We Stack Up
• Teamwise, the Rams lead the MW in 11 categories and are in the top-5 nationally in four of those statistics. Tori Williams is in the midst of a career-best streak of seven double-digit scoring games thanks largely to her NCAA best 3-ball total. McKenna Hofschild has spilled into double digits four times after having a high of nine points coming into the season, but her best asset is her NCAA second-best assist total. Sydney Mech ranks fifth nationally in blocks with a seven-block performance which ties six others for the second-best single game mark in NCAA.

Second Quarter Surge
• Early on, the Rams are showing their quarter of separation is the second quarter. In the opener, CSU outscored Regis 31-13 and in game two against Colorado Christian it was 30-6 for a combined total of 61-19. Colorado State outscored Fresno State in both second quarters. In all, the Rams have bested their opponents 151-105 in the second frame. In five of the seven second quarters thus far, CSU has scored 20+ points.

Sharing the Rock
• The Rams lead the NCAA in assists (132), and fifth in asst/turnover ratio (1.81), while on top of the Mountain West in apg (18.9). McKenna Hofschild's 10 assists in the season opener ties 16 other NCAA DI players as the fifth-most in a single game. Her 46 total assists and 6.5 apg rank No. 1 in the MW with the next closest player at 25. Hofschild is already over halfway to CSU's top individual assist number from last year (87). Her 5.11 assist/turnover ratio also leads the MW. The Rams have out assisted all of their opponents. The Rams tallied a season-high 24 assists against Denver at home.

Block Party
• The Rams lead the NCAA in blocked shots (46 ) and their 6.6 bpg ranks 14th. In the MW, the next closest team has 16. Off redshirt and showing a prowess in swatting is Sydney Mech who has a league-high 15, checking in fourth nationwide. Lore Devos (12) is second in the MW, having passed her total blocks from last season.

Scouting Denver
• Last season, DU finished 15-15 overall with a 9-7 conference record. The Pioneers return 10 letterwinners and three starters. Not included in that bunch is their returning scorer and rebounder.
• Leading scorer, sophomore Meghan Boyd has scored over 20 in three of four games.
• Back in her sophomore season, Lore Devos recorded her first double-double against the Pioneers with 21 points and 10 rebounds. During her freshman season, Devos scored nine in her seventh career game.
• CSU's Sydney Mech spent her freshman year at DU, playing the most minutes in her freshman class. Five Pioneers from the 2018-19 team still remain, including two in Mech's freshman class; Anna Jackson and Tsimba Malonga.

Series History: Colorado State – Denver
Overall: CSU leads, 22-9
In Fort Collins: 14-4
In Denver: 8-5
Neutral Sites: -
Current Streak: CSU, 7
Last Meeting: DU 62, CSU 85 in Fort Collins (12/13/20)
Largest Margin of Victory: 72; DU 21, CSU 93 in FC (1/9/75)
Largest Defeat: 19; CSU 58, DU 77 in Denver (12/7/05)

A Colorado State Win Would Mean…
• Two sweeps in as many tries (San Diego State and Denver).

How to Follow Along
Attached: Game Notes.
Live Stats: http://csura.ms/2KxZhHa
Live Stream: http://csura.ms/2LEMLpX
Radio: KARS 102.9 FM | https://csura.ms/Listen

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

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