Denver - The Metropolitan State University of Denver women's basketball team opened up Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play with a loss at home to UCCS, 86-82 on Saturday night.  MSU-Denver drops to 2-5 and 0-1 in conference play while the Mountain Lions improve to 5-2 overall and 1-0 in the RMAC.
 
The Roadrunners lead for all but two minutes in the game while
 
MSU-Denver committed six turnovers in the first quarter that led to six points for the Mountain Lions.  The Roadrunners field goal shooting was the highlight of the quarter shooting 66.7 percent while holding UCCS to 47.4 percent.  This gave MSU Denver a 23-19 lead at the end of the quarter.  Junior Jenae Paine (Oregon City, Ore./Oregon City H.S.) led the way for the Roadrunners in the first quarter with six points. 
 
The Roadrunners continued their impressive shooting into the second quarter extending their lead to 42-30 at the half.  MSU Denver shot over 42 percent from the three-point range and 60 percent from the field.  Sophomore J'Nae Squires-Horton (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sand Creek H.S.) had ten points and two steals at the half.   The Roadrunners had balanced scoring with six players having five or more points in the first half.
 
Coming out of half time MSU-Denver allowed the UCCS to score 17 points in the quarter.  Through the third quarter, the Roadrunners were out rebounded 27-19.   MSU Denver ended the quarter on a 10-0 run to have a 56-47 led going into the fourth.
 
The Roadrunners would not be able to hold on to the lead in the fourth quarter.  MSU Denver led 68-55 with 6:44 remaining in the game.  UCCS outscored MSU Denver 31-14 in the final 6:44 to take the win 86-82.
 
MSU-Denver had four players in double-figures.  Freshmen Jaelynn Smith (Denver, Colo./East H.S.) lead the way with 18 points shooting 8-of-11 from the field.  Sophomore Hannah Stipanovich (St. Louis, Mo./Clayton H.S.) chipped in 17 points, seven rebounds, and three steals.

MSU Denver will travel to Salt Lake City to take on Westminster on Dec. 11 at 5 p.m.