Colorado State University Athletics
Wednesday, December 31
Phoenix, Ariz.
11:00 AM
Colorado State
12-2,3-0Mountain West
61
at
47
Grand Canyon
2-11,1-2Mountain West
1
2
3
4
F
Colorado St.
11
17
21
12
61
Grand Canyon
7
15
8
17
47
Defense Closes Out 2025 with Win
12/31/2025 1:13:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Another third-quarter surge powers CSU to 12th-straight road win
PHOENIX — Balanced scoring and defense helped Colorado State women's basketball put a bow on 2025 with a 61-47 win over Grand Canyon on Wednesday at the Global Credit Union Arena.
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It marks the 12th victory of the season for CSU (12-2), who improve to 3-0 in Mountain West play. The victory over the Lopes (2-11, 1-2 MW) also marks the 12th-straight road win for the Rams dating back to last season, which is the third-longest streak nationally.
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The first half was a physical affair with both teams battling for rebounds and loose balls. CSU endured another slow start offensively, scoring just two points across the first six minutes of the game, but the defense showed up in usual fashion by limiting GCU to five in the same span. The Rams found more of a rhythm on the offensive end in the second quarter and led 28-22 at halftime behind Lexus Bargesser's 10 points and five rebounds.
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Colorado State entered the game outscoring teams by an average of 6.4 points in the third quarter this season, the top single-quarter scoring differential of any team in the MW this season.  Head coach Ryun Williams once again made quality adjustments at halftime, and the Rams blew open the game with a 21-8 third frame that put the game comfortably in the hands of the Green and Gold. The defense held true in the fourth quarter to close out the win, marking the seventh time this season – and the third straight – in which CSU held aan opponent below 50 points.
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Bargesser led the way offensively for CSU, notching a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double – her second of the season. Madelyn Bragg was also spectacular, showcasing aggressiveness on her way to a double-double of her own (12 points, 10 rebounds). Brooke Carlson also chipped in 10 points thanks to an 8-for-8 performance from the foul line, while Kloe Froebe added nine rebounds and seven blocks.
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How It Happened
The game tipped off with Bragg getting CSU on the board first with a layup at the 8:23 mark. GCU fired back with Karley Johnson's three-pointer, thanks to an assist from Chloe Mann at 5:30, briefly taking a 3-2 lead. But the Rams quickly wrestled control back, with Marta Leimane's jumper at 2:03 pushing the score to 9-7 in their favor. The first quarter wrapped up with McKenna Murphy sinking a buzzer-beater layup, securing an 11-7 lead for CSU over the Lopes.
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Kicking off the second quarter, Hannah Ronsiek nailed a jumper at 9:39, pushing the Rams ahead to 13-7. Bargesser was a force to be reckoned with, scoring twice, including a crucial jumper at 5:20 and a three-pointer at 1:35, assisted by Froebe. GCU narrowed the gap with a layup from Anisa Jeffries at 5:33 and a three-pointer by Ale'Jah Douglas at 3:54. Nonetheless, the Rams held firm, ending the half with a 17-15 lead.
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The third quarter saw the Rams stretching their lead with a commanding performance, outscoring the Lopes 21-8. Froebe kicked things off with a three-pointer at 9:35, assisted by Carlson. Bragg kept the momentum going with a layup at 7:03, followed by her free throws. Carlson added to the tally with flawless free throws at 6:11. Ronsiek closed the quarter with a three-pointer set up by Leimane with just 4 seconds remaining. The Rams' defense was rock solid, allowing only two field goals, maintaining a strong lead into the final quarter.
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GCU came out swinging in the fourth quarter with Karley Johnson's steal leading to a fast-break layup just 36 seconds in. CSU fired back with a jumper from Bargesser at 8:17. Despite turnovers from both teams, Jeffries kept the Lopes in the game with a layup at 6:52, assisted by Johnson. Leimane answered with a jumper at 6:40, and after a series of timeouts, the Rams held their ground, despite GCU outscoring them 17-12 in the final stretch.
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Up Next
Colorado State opens 2026 with a home contest against Fresno State on Saturday (Jan. 3) at 1 p.m. MT. Tickets to all CSU home games can be purchased at CSURams.com/WBBTickets.
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It marks the 12th victory of the season for CSU (12-2), who improve to 3-0 in Mountain West play. The victory over the Lopes (2-11, 1-2 MW) also marks the 12th-straight road win for the Rams dating back to last season, which is the third-longest streak nationally.
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The first half was a physical affair with both teams battling for rebounds and loose balls. CSU endured another slow start offensively, scoring just two points across the first six minutes of the game, but the defense showed up in usual fashion by limiting GCU to five in the same span. The Rams found more of a rhythm on the offensive end in the second quarter and led 28-22 at halftime behind Lexus Bargesser's 10 points and five rebounds.
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Colorado State entered the game outscoring teams by an average of 6.4 points in the third quarter this season, the top single-quarter scoring differential of any team in the MW this season.  Head coach Ryun Williams once again made quality adjustments at halftime, and the Rams blew open the game with a 21-8 third frame that put the game comfortably in the hands of the Green and Gold. The defense held true in the fourth quarter to close out the win, marking the seventh time this season – and the third straight – in which CSU held aan opponent below 50 points.
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Bargesser led the way offensively for CSU, notching a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double – her second of the season. Madelyn Bragg was also spectacular, showcasing aggressiveness on her way to a double-double of her own (12 points, 10 rebounds). Brooke Carlson also chipped in 10 points thanks to an 8-for-8 performance from the foul line, while Kloe Froebe added nine rebounds and seven blocks.
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How It Happened
The game tipped off with Bragg getting CSU on the board first with a layup at the 8:23 mark. GCU fired back with Karley Johnson's three-pointer, thanks to an assist from Chloe Mann at 5:30, briefly taking a 3-2 lead. But the Rams quickly wrestled control back, with Marta Leimane's jumper at 2:03 pushing the score to 9-7 in their favor. The first quarter wrapped up with McKenna Murphy sinking a buzzer-beater layup, securing an 11-7 lead for CSU over the Lopes.
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Kicking off the second quarter, Hannah Ronsiek nailed a jumper at 9:39, pushing the Rams ahead to 13-7. Bargesser was a force to be reckoned with, scoring twice, including a crucial jumper at 5:20 and a three-pointer at 1:35, assisted by Froebe. GCU narrowed the gap with a layup from Anisa Jeffries at 5:33 and a three-pointer by Ale'Jah Douglas at 3:54. Nonetheless, the Rams held firm, ending the half with a 17-15 lead.
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The third quarter saw the Rams stretching their lead with a commanding performance, outscoring the Lopes 21-8. Froebe kicked things off with a three-pointer at 9:35, assisted by Carlson. Bragg kept the momentum going with a layup at 7:03, followed by her free throws. Carlson added to the tally with flawless free throws at 6:11. Ronsiek closed the quarter with a three-pointer set up by Leimane with just 4 seconds remaining. The Rams' defense was rock solid, allowing only two field goals, maintaining a strong lead into the final quarter.
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GCU came out swinging in the fourth quarter with Karley Johnson's steal leading to a fast-break layup just 36 seconds in. CSU fired back with a jumper from Bargesser at 8:17. Despite turnovers from both teams, Jeffries kept the Lopes in the game with a layup at 6:52, assisted by Johnson. Leimane answered with a jumper at 6:40, and after a series of timeouts, the Rams held their ground, despite GCU outscoring them 17-12 in the final stretch.
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Up Next
Colorado State opens 2026 with a home contest against Fresno State on Saturday (Jan. 3) at 1 p.m. MT. Tickets to all CSU home games can be purchased at CSURams.com/WBBTickets.
Team Stats
CSU
GCU
FG%
.377
.288
3FG%
.313
.100
FT%
.833
.938
RB
40
33
TO
14
16
STL
4
8
Game Leaders
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
8
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
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