Colorado State University Athletics
Saturday, February 12
San Jose, CA
3:00 PM
Colorado State
at
San Jose State
Rams Aim for Sweep at San Jose State
2/11/2022 1:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Colorado State to Play Saturday at San Jose State
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Headed back to California for the last time this season, the Colorado State women's basketball team will play San Jose State Saturday at 3 p.m. MT inside the Provident Credit Union Event Center.
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Last month, the Rams defeated SJSU 90-64 in Fort Collins, Colo., which represented the Rams' largest margin of victory this season against a Mountain West opponent. CSU notched seasons highs in total points (90), shot percentage (.508) and offensive rebounds (13), while Upe Atosu poured in a career-best 32 points including six 3s. The Rams also dominated the glass, outrebounding the SJSU 44 to 24.
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CSU's final six games are evenly split on the road and at home. Saturday's contest at San Jose State is CSU's fifth game two of a MW series this season. The Rams are 1-3 in such games but are aiming for the sweep versus the Spartans. Colorado State's last regular season sweep of SJSU came in 2017-18. SJSU (4-18, 1-10 MW) was picked to finish ninth in the Mountain West. The Spartans have one win in the past 16 games. The victory was a two-point margin against Boise State at home on Jan. 29th.
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"How we played in the final two quarters against Utah State is how we want to play for the entire 40 minutes," head coach Ryun Williams said. "We ran the floor well and shared the ball, making the extra passes to set up high percentage shots. With six games left in the regular season, our team is aware of how important every game is to the conference standings. Regardless of opponent or location, we need to come out ready to play from the tip and not anything less."
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RAMS NOTEBOOK
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Last Time Out
•  the Rams roared back from a 15-point halftime deficit to defeat Utah State, 86-83. Upe Atosu had 18 second-half points, while McKenna Hofschild had 17 en route to their totals of 24 and 23, respectively. Hofschild added 13 assists for her third point-assist double-double of the season. She also entered CSU's all-time season assist list, which is broken down on page five. Five of the Rams' seven 3s came in the fourth quarter. CSU eclipsed 20 assists in both games versus the Aggies this season.
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What to Watch for vs. San Jose State?
• CSU Scoring Offense (69.95; #3 in MW) vs. SJSU Scoring Defense (76.05; #10 in MW)
• CSU Field Goal Percentage Defense (38.1%; #1 in MW) vs. SJSU FG% Offense (36.3%; #11 in MW)
• CSU Turnovers Per Game (9.7; #1 in NCAA) vs. SJSU's Ella Ogier steals per game (1.91 #3 in MW)
• CSU's Karly Murphy rebounding (9.1 rpg, #3 in MW) vs. SJSU's Cydni Lewis rebounding (7.0 rpg, #7 in MW)
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Scouting Report on San Jose State
•  Among the MW, the 2021-22 Spartans rank in the top five in blocked shots, fewest fouls, and 3-point field goals attempted. Nationally, Ella Ogier is 52nd in free-throw percentage with an 84.5% clip.
• More from Game 1: To go along with her career-best 32 points, Atosu dished out five assists, which were all 3s thus having a hand in 47 points on the night.
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Playing Short Handed
• Colorado State started the season with 12 on the roster, leaving little wiggle room for injuries or sickness.
• CSU has had 10 games in which 10 Rams logged minutes including four with all 12 playing.
• Eight times CSU has played with just eight players. The second time (vs BS), Cali Clark went out three minutes into the game and did not return, leaving just seven available as Sydney Mech was out on injury, and three out per COVID (Karly Murphy, Jess Moors and Anna Prim).
• CSU and UNM are the only schools in the conference that have three players in the top 15 for minutes played.
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COVID Back Affecting Schedules
• On Jan. 31, the MW announced some slight schedule adjustments. CSU's home game against Wyoming (2/16-2/17) slid back a game and so did its contest at Nevada (2/19-2/20). The Rams now have four days of prep before the Cowgirls instead of three but lost a day on the backend before playing San Diego State on now three-days' rest.
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Assist Legend in the Making
• McKenna Hofschild is on pace (assuming there is 8 more games) for 190 assists this season, which would be set the CSU single-season assist record. Against Utah State, she tallied 13 assists to jump from outside of the top 10 to eighth. She passed three Dee Dee Dominguez's marks, knocking off her 1995-96 total of 132 from the top 10.
• She already obtained the CSU single-game assist record at Utah State with 17.Â
• Career-wise at CSU, that same projection would put her assist total at 304. Last season, the MW Newcomer of the Year had 114 in 21 games played. CSU's career assist top 10 starts at 301. The junior has another season of eligibility. She had 31 assists at Seton Hall as a freshmen.
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SINGLE SEASON ASSIST LIST
Rank     Player (Season)                               Assists
1.           Ellen Nystrom (2015-16)              186
2.           Becky Hammon (1998-99)           174
3.           Ellen Nystrom (2016-17)              173
4.           Becky Hammon (1997-98)           161
5.           Jasai Ferrucho (2003-04)              158
6.           Deb Spickler (1981-82)                151
7. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Gritt Ryder (2013-14)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 148
8.           McKenna Hofschild (2021-22)     144
9. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Dee Dee Dominguez (1994-95)Â Â Â 143
10. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Dee Dee Dominguez (1992-93)Â Â Â 136
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Protecting the Rock Better than ALL
• CSU continues to lead the NCAA in turnovers per game (9.7) and is second in assist to turnover ratio (1.54). Last season, CSU finished second and fifth, respectively, in those two categories. This season the Rams have had the same or less turnovers than their opponent in 13 of 22 games. Also, CSU has 11 games with single-digit turnovers with six coming in conference play.
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Murphy on the Glass
• Karly Murphy is third in the MW in boards per game (9.0) and total rebounds (190). She is on pace (assuming there is 7 more games) to have 253 rebounds, which would be flirting with CSU's top 10 list for a season that starts at 248. She has already passed her previous single-season high of 146. At Air Force, she grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds.
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Second Half Team
•  In the first quarter, the Rams have been outscored by five points. In the second, CSU has a 28-point advantage. After halftime, CSU has outscored its opposition by 64 points in the third quarter and 60 points in the final 10 minutes. Ironically, the Rams are 5-6 when either tied or trailing at halftime though. On the flip side, CSU is 10-1 when leading at the break.
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From the Line
• Last season, Ryun Williams' squad ranked 19th in the nation in free-throw percentage at 76.3%, which also went down as the second-best percentage in CSU history. Trying to replicate that success, CSU is 235 for 307 (76.5%) from the charity strike thus far, ranking 27th in NCAA. The trio of Karly Murphy, McKenna Hofschild and Upe Atosu are 196-of-251 for 78.1%. That means the rest are 39-of-56 for 69.6%.
• The Rams have five games under .700 from the line and five above .900.
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CSU Home Promotional Schedule
• Pink Out Game - Feb. 16th vs. Wyoming
• State Pride Game - Feb. 24th vs. San Diego State
• Senior Day/Green Out - Feb. 26th vs. UNLV
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At the Helm
• A two-time Mountain West Coach of the Year and the winningest coach in program history, Ryun Williams enters his 10th season at the helm of the Colorado State women's basketball program in 2021-22. CSU's 5-0 start marked the first since the 2000-01 campaign. The win over Boise State made it the sixth time the program has started 10-1. For Williams it is his second such start, joining the 2015-16 team that finished 31-2 overall, winning the MW outright and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. Williams and Tom Collen ('97-98, '98-99, '00-01 and '01-02) are the only CSU coaches to have 10-1 starts.
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Series History: Colorado State – San Jose State
Overall: CSU leads, 17-6
In Fort Collins: CSU, 9-2
In San Jose: CSU, 6-3
Neutral: CSU, 2-1
Last: SJSU 64, CSU 90 (1/9/21) at CSU
Largest CSU Victory: 52
Largest CSU Defeat: 12
More on the matchup on pg. 8 of the Game Notes
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A Colorado State Saturday Win Would Mean…
• The Rams are back above .500 in the Mountain West and have swept their second opponent of the season.
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How to Follow Along
Attached: Game Notes.
Live Stats: http://csura.ms/WBBStats
Live Stream: http://csura.ms/Live
Television: Mountain West Network
Radio: Power 102.9 FM | https://csura.ms/Listen
Audio Stream: Varsity Network | https://csura.ms/VarsityNetwork
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For More on Colorado State Women's Basketball follow: Twitter – CSUWBasketball | Instagram – csuwbasketball | Facebook – @CSUWBasketball
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Last month, the Rams defeated SJSU 90-64 in Fort Collins, Colo., which represented the Rams' largest margin of victory this season against a Mountain West opponent. CSU notched seasons highs in total points (90), shot percentage (.508) and offensive rebounds (13), while Upe Atosu poured in a career-best 32 points including six 3s. The Rams also dominated the glass, outrebounding the SJSU 44 to 24.
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CSU's final six games are evenly split on the road and at home. Saturday's contest at San Jose State is CSU's fifth game two of a MW series this season. The Rams are 1-3 in such games but are aiming for the sweep versus the Spartans. Colorado State's last regular season sweep of SJSU came in 2017-18. SJSU (4-18, 1-10 MW) was picked to finish ninth in the Mountain West. The Spartans have one win in the past 16 games. The victory was a two-point margin against Boise State at home on Jan. 29th.
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"How we played in the final two quarters against Utah State is how we want to play for the entire 40 minutes," head coach Ryun Williams said. "We ran the floor well and shared the ball, making the extra passes to set up high percentage shots. With six games left in the regular season, our team is aware of how important every game is to the conference standings. Regardless of opponent or location, we need to come out ready to play from the tip and not anything less."
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RAMS NOTEBOOK
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Last Time Out
•  the Rams roared back from a 15-point halftime deficit to defeat Utah State, 86-83. Upe Atosu had 18 second-half points, while McKenna Hofschild had 17 en route to their totals of 24 and 23, respectively. Hofschild added 13 assists for her third point-assist double-double of the season. She also entered CSU's all-time season assist list, which is broken down on page five. Five of the Rams' seven 3s came in the fourth quarter. CSU eclipsed 20 assists in both games versus the Aggies this season.
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What to Watch for vs. San Jose State?
• CSU Scoring Offense (69.95; #3 in MW) vs. SJSU Scoring Defense (76.05; #10 in MW)
• CSU Field Goal Percentage Defense (38.1%; #1 in MW) vs. SJSU FG% Offense (36.3%; #11 in MW)
• CSU Turnovers Per Game (9.7; #1 in NCAA) vs. SJSU's Ella Ogier steals per game (1.91 #3 in MW)
• CSU's Karly Murphy rebounding (9.1 rpg, #3 in MW) vs. SJSU's Cydni Lewis rebounding (7.0 rpg, #7 in MW)
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Scouting Report on San Jose State
•  Among the MW, the 2021-22 Spartans rank in the top five in blocked shots, fewest fouls, and 3-point field goals attempted. Nationally, Ella Ogier is 52nd in free-throw percentage with an 84.5% clip.
• More from Game 1: To go along with her career-best 32 points, Atosu dished out five assists, which were all 3s thus having a hand in 47 points on the night.
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Playing Short Handed
• Colorado State started the season with 12 on the roster, leaving little wiggle room for injuries or sickness.
• CSU has had 10 games in which 10 Rams logged minutes including four with all 12 playing.
• Eight times CSU has played with just eight players. The second time (vs BS), Cali Clark went out three minutes into the game and did not return, leaving just seven available as Sydney Mech was out on injury, and three out per COVID (Karly Murphy, Jess Moors and Anna Prim).
• CSU and UNM are the only schools in the conference that have three players in the top 15 for minutes played.
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COVID Back Affecting Schedules
• On Jan. 31, the MW announced some slight schedule adjustments. CSU's home game against Wyoming (2/16-2/17) slid back a game and so did its contest at Nevada (2/19-2/20). The Rams now have four days of prep before the Cowgirls instead of three but lost a day on the backend before playing San Diego State on now three-days' rest.
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Assist Legend in the Making
• McKenna Hofschild is on pace (assuming there is 8 more games) for 190 assists this season, which would be set the CSU single-season assist record. Against Utah State, she tallied 13 assists to jump from outside of the top 10 to eighth. She passed three Dee Dee Dominguez's marks, knocking off her 1995-96 total of 132 from the top 10.
• She already obtained the CSU single-game assist record at Utah State with 17.Â
• Career-wise at CSU, that same projection would put her assist total at 304. Last season, the MW Newcomer of the Year had 114 in 21 games played. CSU's career assist top 10 starts at 301. The junior has another season of eligibility. She had 31 assists at Seton Hall as a freshmen.
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SINGLE SEASON ASSIST LIST
Rank     Player (Season)                               Assists
1.           Ellen Nystrom (2015-16)              186
2.           Becky Hammon (1998-99)           174
3.           Ellen Nystrom (2016-17)              173
4.           Becky Hammon (1997-98)           161
5.           Jasai Ferrucho (2003-04)              158
6.           Deb Spickler (1981-82)                151
7. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Gritt Ryder (2013-14)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 148
8.           McKenna Hofschild (2021-22)     144
9. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Dee Dee Dominguez (1994-95)Â Â Â 143
10. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Dee Dee Dominguez (1992-93)Â Â Â 136
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Protecting the Rock Better than ALL
• CSU continues to lead the NCAA in turnovers per game (9.7) and is second in assist to turnover ratio (1.54). Last season, CSU finished second and fifth, respectively, in those two categories. This season the Rams have had the same or less turnovers than their opponent in 13 of 22 games. Also, CSU has 11 games with single-digit turnovers with six coming in conference play.
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Murphy on the Glass
• Karly Murphy is third in the MW in boards per game (9.0) and total rebounds (190). She is on pace (assuming there is 7 more games) to have 253 rebounds, which would be flirting with CSU's top 10 list for a season that starts at 248. She has already passed her previous single-season high of 146. At Air Force, she grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds.
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Second Half Team
•  In the first quarter, the Rams have been outscored by five points. In the second, CSU has a 28-point advantage. After halftime, CSU has outscored its opposition by 64 points in the third quarter and 60 points in the final 10 minutes. Ironically, the Rams are 5-6 when either tied or trailing at halftime though. On the flip side, CSU is 10-1 when leading at the break.
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From the Line
• Last season, Ryun Williams' squad ranked 19th in the nation in free-throw percentage at 76.3%, which also went down as the second-best percentage in CSU history. Trying to replicate that success, CSU is 235 for 307 (76.5%) from the charity strike thus far, ranking 27th in NCAA. The trio of Karly Murphy, McKenna Hofschild and Upe Atosu are 196-of-251 for 78.1%. That means the rest are 39-of-56 for 69.6%.
• The Rams have five games under .700 from the line and five above .900.
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CSU Home Promotional Schedule
• Pink Out Game - Feb. 16th vs. Wyoming
• State Pride Game - Feb. 24th vs. San Diego State
• Senior Day/Green Out - Feb. 26th vs. UNLV
Â
At the Helm
• A two-time Mountain West Coach of the Year and the winningest coach in program history, Ryun Williams enters his 10th season at the helm of the Colorado State women's basketball program in 2021-22. CSU's 5-0 start marked the first since the 2000-01 campaign. The win over Boise State made it the sixth time the program has started 10-1. For Williams it is his second such start, joining the 2015-16 team that finished 31-2 overall, winning the MW outright and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. Williams and Tom Collen ('97-98, '98-99, '00-01 and '01-02) are the only CSU coaches to have 10-1 starts.
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Series History: Colorado State – San Jose State
Overall: CSU leads, 17-6
In Fort Collins: CSU, 9-2
In San Jose: CSU, 6-3
Neutral: CSU, 2-1
Last: SJSU 64, CSU 90 (1/9/21) at CSU
Largest CSU Victory: 52
Largest CSU Defeat: 12
More on the matchup on pg. 8 of the Game Notes
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A Colorado State Saturday Win Would Mean…
• The Rams are back above .500 in the Mountain West and have swept their second opponent of the season.
Â
How to Follow Along
Attached: Game Notes.
Live Stats: http://csura.ms/WBBStats
Live Stream: http://csura.ms/Live
Television: Mountain West Network
Radio: Power 102.9 FM | https://csura.ms/Listen
Audio Stream: Varsity Network | https://csura.ms/VarsityNetwork
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For More on Colorado State Women's Basketball follow: Twitter – CSUWBasketball | Instagram – csuwbasketball | Facebook – @CSUWBasketball
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Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
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