Denver- The Metropolitan State University of Denver women's Basketball team (8-6, 4-3 RMAC) defeated Colorado Mesa (8-3, 5-2 RMAC) 67-57 on Friday evening.
MSU Denver went on a 5-0 open the game, however the Mavericks were quick to return the run by adding five themselves to tie the game at five. The quarter remained close until the Roadrunners took the largest lead of the quarter, leading by 7 after a 6-0 run. The first quarter ended with the Roadrunners on top 14-10.
The Roadrunner kept the energy level high in the second quarter maintaining the lead throughout and led by as many as eight. The game ended 22-25 at half in favor of MSU Denver. Junior
Jaelynn Smith (Denver, Colo./East H.S.) led all scorers with 12 points while adding four boards. Junior
Georgia Ohrdorf (Wollongong, Australia/St. Mary Star of the Sea College) added eight points for the Roadrunners in the first half.
The Roadrunners came out of the gate strong in the third quarter, earning a nine-point lead at 38-29. However, the Mavericks answered back cutting the lead back down to three at 39-36. MSU Denver was able to keep the lead through the rest of the quarter at 47-41 despite a hard fought battle between the two sides. The Roadrunners shot 63 percent from the field to the Maverick 50 percent in the quarter.
MSU Denver scored the first three points of the fourth quarter after Senior
Luisa Tago (Medford, Ore./South Medford H.S.) was fouled on a shot in which she was able to convert her free throw. The Roadrunners played strong the rest of the quarter to maintain control. The largest lead of the game came for MSU Denver with 1:30 minutes to go in the fourth quarter at 62-47.
The Roadrunners defeated the Mavericks 57-67. The team was led by Smith with 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Ohrdorf finished with 21 points and four rebounds. MSU Denver held Colorado Mesa to a 36 percent shooting average on the game while posting a 47 shooting percentage.
The Roadrunners will return home next Friday, January 6 to host Fort Lewis at 5 p.m.
