Gunnison, Colo. – The Metropolitan State University of Denver women's basketball team defeated Western State 77-72 in overtime on Friday night.  The Roadrunners improve to 10-12 overall and 8-8 in the RMAC while Western State falls to 4-14 overall and 2-14 in the RMAC.

The Roadrunners were led by sophomore Emily Hartegan (Wylie, Texas/Wylie East H.S.)'s double-double.  Hartegan scored 30 points and had 10 rebounds.  Sophomores Hannah Stipanovich (St. Louis, Mo./Clayton H.S.) and Georgia Ohrdorf (Wollongong, Australia/St. Mary Star of the Sea College) added 12 points and 11 points, respectively.

In the first quarter, both MSU Denver and Western State would struggle to find their offensive rhythm.  The Roadrunners would hold Western State without a field goal until the Mountaineers hit a three-point basket with 2:12 remaining.  MSU Denver would trail 10-9 at the end of the period.

The second quarter would see MSU Denver build a five-point lead following a Hartegan basket with 5:42 to go in the half.  Western State would continue to chip away and ultimately take a two point lead into halftime 25-23.

Hartegan continued to score in the third quarter.  The Roadrunners would hold their largest lead of the game at 41-32 with 1:00 to play in the period after Hartegan converted two free throws.  MSU Denver scored 18 points in the third quarter to take a 41-35 lead.

MSU Denver could not hold off Western State in the fourth quarter.  The Roadrunners would hold the lead for all but 12 seconds in the quarter.  Sophomore J'Nae Squires-Horton (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sand Creek H.S.) hit two free throws to give MSU Denver a two-point lead with 18 seconds remaining.  Western State would make a layup with 12 seconds to go to tie the game.  Hartegan would have a chance to win the game in regulation, but was unable to knock down the jumper.  The two teams would combine for 12 points in the final minute of the period.  Regulation would end with the two teams tied at 60-60.

The Roadrunners would grab the lead in overtime and not look back.  MSU Denver outscored Western State 17-12 in the extra period.  Hartegan and Squires-Horton combined for 11 points in overtime.

MSU Denver will travel to Pueblo, Colo. To take on CSU-Pueblo on Saturday, February 6 at 5 p.m.