Deep Offense Leads Rams to Win in Season Opener

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Oct 18

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vs Weber State

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Nov 13

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at Gonzaga

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Ryun Williams was looking for what his team did well Tuesday night, signs of encouragement. But the Colorado State women's basketball coach wouldn't be doing his job is he wasn't looking for aspects of the game to be critical about.

By the end of a 77-42 victory over Colorado Christian at Moby Arena to open the season, both lists gave him plenty to cover before the Rams take the floor again on Friday.

"Early on in the season, that's what we're trying to do," Williams said. "This group needs to find some confidence. They really do. There were just some disconnected possessions out there tonight. That's what experience brings, and that's what we're really lacking, although we have some kids who have played college basketball before. This is just different, it's a different team."

The underlying tone is the lists converge a bit. What the Rams struggled with is something Williams knows will come together in time, because they confidence he was referring to was not individually, but as a group.

The Rams have confidence. They just need it in each other.

"I would say a lot of it is the disconnect of a lot of new players, but also for me, I think the transition has been pretty easy, just because I've played in college basketball games before," Kendyll Kinzer said. "Playing with them, they're really easy to get used to playing with. They're very welcoming, they like to share the ball; we want to play team basketball. There is a little bit of a disconnect, but I think we're cleaning it up really quick."

Offensively, the Rams looked stocked. Not just with who they returned, but who they added to the mix. The additions of Anna Prim and Upe Atosu to the backcourt brings an additional element of speed, while Kinzer, the Fresno State transfer provides a versatile mix to the flow, be it her versatility in scoring or distributing the ball.

She was the first Ram to reach double digits in the game, finishing the night with 10 points. But she also dished out four assists and grabbed three rebounds in her official debut with the team. By the time the game was over, there were four Rams in double figures, led by Prim with 14. Cali Clark added 13 and Atosu 10.

Karly Murphy finished with eight, but the combination of she and Clark could have poured it on, as they had their way inside when they had the ball. That's another item on Williams' list.

"A big focus for us lately has been getting it into the post, because more times than not, we're probably going to get it out if we're doubled or just aren't getting the shot that's best for the team," Clark said. "That has been a priority for us, and I do think we would have had a bigger night if we would have gotten it in there more. That's just how we worked it tonight. We just didn't, but we are looking to use the five spot a lot more this year."

Where Williams wants to see the team come together quickest in on the defensive end. Some of the offensive problems can be traced to the CCU zone defense it brought out in the second, a system the Rams don't use and haven't practiced much against.

Their own defense, they practice that. But again, providing help and hitting lanes requires a bit of a teamwork and familiarity. When to help, how to stick with the scout plan, when to help.

"We've got some strength offensively, but defensively … it's like assignments," he said. "We break down mentally. That's the thing that gets me."

Still, what he saw most is a team filled with players who have game. Eventually, they'll work it all together. The Rams rebounded better than they did in their exhibition game, and their assist-to-turnover rate was a sensational 24-to-6, with McKenna Hofschild dishing out 10 of them.

"I'm very excited. I do think we have a wide range," Kinzer said. "Us getting it into our posts, who are really, really good, makes it easier for us shooters, because not all the attention is on us and it makes it easier for Kenna to drive, because not all the attention is on her. I think the wide range of players we have helps everyone get better looks individually, because they have to be worried about all three levels, not just the shooters, the drivers or the post."

The season is young, just one game old. There is time and a host of games to play before conference action starts. But practice will be focused on both of Williams' lists.

Besides, he is not exactly patient. It will come, and he said what this team needs most of all is games. Still, sooner is preferred.

"I hope we get it by Friday," he said. "We're going to need to have it by Friday."

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