Bench Providing Lift for Rams

The collegiate game of women's basketball is changing to where Ryun Williams has seen a growing dependence on the starters on the floor.

The transition has gradually amped up over the years, and this season, his Colorado State women's program has three players averaging better than 30 minutes a game for a 14-2 squad, 10-2 to lead the Mountain West.

While the play by the trio has been instrumental, so too has the efforts of the Rams' bench, which is not only deeper but more utilized this season.

"Your top players are going to play the most minutes, but it's nice knowing we've got kids on the bench who can be productive," Williams said as his team heads into a two-game set at Moby Arena this week with Nevada. "We've got talented depth that can help us throughout a game, no question."

CSU's bench is playing more minutes, about 10 more per game. And they're scoring at a better pace, around 10 more points per game. Williams looks at the defensive metrics, and that's where they've really made a difference.

Actually, Petra Farkas admits she's a bit of an oddball in that way of thinking.

"Honestly, I'm not going to lie. Sometimes I rest on offense rather than on defense, because I believe defense is what's going to win the game," Farkas said. "I'm blessed to have other teammates on the court who can score it even if I'm not that successful that night. I believe the team needs my good defense every night, so I just focus on my defense.

"I know that's different, but I believe if I play good defense, then I'm going to feel more comfortable on the court and I will score whenever I get a chance. I do love it when I play good defense and I go to the bench and everybody says that's great defense."

It's an interesting blend for the Rams, with Jamie Bonnarens and Farkas providing a lot of defensive flexibility, while Bengisu Alper aids keeping the pace of games as she learns to play point guard for the first time. Karly Murphy has been explosive scoring off the bench, as she splits time with Cali Clark in the post.

Bonnarens is the leader of the group, having gone from a starter the year prior to an experienced spark after the game's begun. Averaging more than 16 minutes a night, she is still averaging 7.8 points per game, and though naturally a guard, she's crafty enough to play post defense.

"She has performed really well in that role, and we need her to perform well," Williams said. "We have her play almost every spot other than point guard. To have that versatility coming off the bench has really, really helped us. Not just in her game; she understands the scout at every position she's playing, and that's a tough ask. Most young kids wouldn't be able to do that. That's' where Jamie has really excelled. She knows what's going on at every spot, which has allowed us to use her at every spot."

Minutes can be scarce, which they all know. Their attitude is what makes it work for the Rams.

Everybody wants to play, but the group isn't counting their minutes. It's the opposite. They're more focused on making their minutes count.
"We usually talk before the games. We don't care the minutes we're going to play, we just have to bring the energy to the team," Alper said. "Even attitude. You can play 10, or something could happen and you play 30. You never know. We just do our jobs for the team.

"I think we're playing more as a team. People aren't giving people attitude. We just want to win. We don't care how much we play, we just want to do our jobs."

Williams couldn't be happier with the way the group has developed throughout the year, and it has provided him a level of trust with all of them. As Alper said, their primary goal is not to mess up the energy on the floor. Baskets will come in the flow, and all of them have been pretty reliable shooters.

The group is about to get even deeper as Sydney Mech, who started five of the first eight games, is set to slowly ease back into the rotation. She provides the team with another scoring option – and, as you might have guessed – some defensively punch. She has only played in those first eight games, yet she still sits second on the team with 16 blocked shots.

With the conference tournament drawing near, the depth will become even more valuable when the team plays on back-to-back nights.

"It used to be you hoped to maintain the lead you have when the bench goes in. Now, that's our strength," Williams said. "There have been a number of games where the game has changed in our favor because of our bench. The DU game really stands out. The bench came in because of foul trouble, and we gained control of that game. They're always ready.

"You're going to have to utilize your depth, and our depth we trust. As the end of the season gets upon us, our bench will be even more important."

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Bengisu Alper

Jamie Bonnarens

Cali Clark

Petra Farkas

Sydney Mech

Karly Murphy

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