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DENVER, Colo. - The Metro State women's basketball team played its best defensive game of the season as it went on to a 70-45 victory over Dominican (Calif.) on Friday evening in Denver. The Roadrunners set a school record for the most free throws without a miss, hitting 18-of-18 at the line. DU's 45 points was the lowest for a Metro State opponent this season.

Metro State improved to 5-4 overall with the win, while the Lady Penguins dropped to 3-5.

Freshman Kristin Valencia (Moriarty, N.M./Moriarty H.S.) led the Roadrunners with 17 points and 14 rebounds, both career highs. Her 14 rebounds were the most for a Metro State player since Megan Sinclair (Victoria, Australia/Avila College) pulled down 16 at Colorado State-Pueblo last season on March 3. Valencia buried 7-of-7 free throws and 5-of-7 from the floor on Friday and chipped in with three steals and three assists.

Chelsea Williamson (Boulder, Colo./Boulder H.S.) had a season-high 16 points, just two off her career high, and added two rebounds, two steals and two assists. She buried 5-of-8 from the floor and all five of her free throws attempts. Jasmine Cervantes (Johnstown, Colo./Berthoud H.S.) scored 12 points and a season-high eight rebounds.

Candice Kohn (Midland, Texas/Midland Christian H.S.) added nine points, followed by Erin Doherty (Denver, Colo./Bishop Machebeuf H.S.) with five, Leandra Sands (Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Wilson H.S.) with four, Alyssa Benson (Eden Prairie, Minn./Minnetonka H.S.) with four and Emily Wood (Louisville, Colo./Monarch H.S.) with three.

Metro State forced 25 turnovers, the most since matching that total in last season's opening game on Nov. 15, 2008, against Minnesota State Moorhead. The Roadrunners shot 38.7 (24-for-62) percent from the floor.

Metro State jumped out to a 12-4 lead on a layup by Kohn after forcing four turnovers in the first four minutes of the game. DU cut the lead to 17-16 with seven minutes left in the first half, but Cervantes and Williamson started to heat up as the Roadrunners closed out the first half on a 13-1 run as Cervantes had six points in the final seven minutes and Williamson hit all four of her free throw attempts in the final minute.

Metro State led 29-18 at the half with the 18 points allowed the lowest an opponent has had all season. Valencia led both teams with seven points and nine rebounds at the break.

The Roadrunners opened the second half by stretching their lead to 22 at 49-27 with 12:47 left. The closest the Lady Penguins would get the rest of the way was within 13 points.

Metro State will host Montana State-Billings on Sunday at 5 p.m. for their final game before Christmas.