Colorado State University Athletics
Bargesser Named MW Newcomer of the Year
3/7/2026 10:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Fifth time in six seasons CSU lands the conference's top newcomer
LAS VEGAS – Call it a habit for Colorado State women's basketball. For the fifth time in the last six seasons a Ram has claimed the Mountain West Newcomer of the Year Award, captured this time by senior guard Lexus Bargesser.
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Bargesser has been one of the best players in the MW all season, ranking in the top 12 in points (14.5), rebounds (6.4) and assists (2.7) in conference games which helped her also land on the league's all-conference team. The Grass Lake, Mich., native is one of the most well-rounded players in the league, being one of two to rank in the top 12 of each aforementioned categories.
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Bargesser joins McKenna Hofschild (2020-21), Upe Atosu (2021-22), Destiny Thurman (2022-23) and Emma Ronsiek (2024-25) in the recent run of winners, showcasing Colorado State's apt for identifying talent in the transfer portal.
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After making the move from Indiana over the offseason, Bargesser has become one of the most improved players in the nation. After logging just 3.4 points per game in her junior season with the Hoosiers, Bargesser has upped her season average to 15.5 points per game – an increase of 12.1 which is a top-10 improvement among all DI players (min. 75% of team games each year). A large reason behind her increased scoring is her improvement from behind the arc as she owns a blistering clip of 42.0% (37-88) in 2025-26 after shooting just 9-of-29 (31.0%) from deep in her first three seasons.
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The senior guard has led the Rams to a 15-5 (.750) record in MW play, their best conference win percentage since the 2016-17 season. Bargesser and the Rams locked in the No. 3 seed in the MW tournament and will face the winner of No. 6 Grand Canyon and No. 11 Utah State on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. MT.
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Bargesser has been one of the best players in the MW all season, ranking in the top 12 in points (14.5), rebounds (6.4) and assists (2.7) in conference games which helped her also land on the league's all-conference team. The Grass Lake, Mich., native is one of the most well-rounded players in the league, being one of two to rank in the top 12 of each aforementioned categories.
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Bargesser joins McKenna Hofschild (2020-21), Upe Atosu (2021-22), Destiny Thurman (2022-23) and Emma Ronsiek (2024-25) in the recent run of winners, showcasing Colorado State's apt for identifying talent in the transfer portal.
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After making the move from Indiana over the offseason, Bargesser has become one of the most improved players in the nation. After logging just 3.4 points per game in her junior season with the Hoosiers, Bargesser has upped her season average to 15.5 points per game – an increase of 12.1 which is a top-10 improvement among all DI players (min. 75% of team games each year). A large reason behind her increased scoring is her improvement from behind the arc as she owns a blistering clip of 42.0% (37-88) in 2025-26 after shooting just 9-of-29 (31.0%) from deep in her first three seasons.
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The senior guard has led the Rams to a 15-5 (.750) record in MW play, their best conference win percentage since the 2016-17 season. Bargesser and the Rams locked in the No. 3 seed in the MW tournament and will face the winner of No. 6 Grand Canyon and No. 11 Utah State on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. MT.
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Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's BasketballColorado State Basketball (W): Ryun Williams Post-Game (San Jose State, 25-26)
Tuesday, March 03
Colorado State Basketball (W): Leimane (L) and Bargesser (R) Post-Game (Air Force, 25-26)
Saturday, February 28
Colorado State Basketball (W): Ryun Williams Post-Game (Air Force, 25-26)
Saturday, February 28
Colorado State Basketball (W): Leimane (L) and Froebe (R) Post-Game (Wyoming, 25-26)
Wednesday, February 25