DENVER – It didn't come easily, but MSU Denver's first win of the women's basketball season was one to savor.
 
"That was gritty, gutsy," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach Tanya Haave said. "We missed some shots we need to make, didn't always have things go our way. But it didn't affect our defense like it did last night (in a loss to Minnesota State-Moorhead).
 
"They were feeling the pressure, because we needed a win on our home floor."
 
Emily Hartegan (Wylie, Texas/Wylie East) had 28 points and 12 rebounds, and Jaelynn Smith (Denver, Colo./East) and Jaiden Galloway (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) made key defensive plays in the closing minutes as the Roadrunners scrapped for a 58-55 victory Saturday over Winona State (Minn.) on the final day of the Holiday Inn Denver Cherry Creek Classic at the Auraria Event Center.
 
Haave's 159^thcareer win moved her into a tie with Darryl Smith for the most in the program's history. Haave is 159-84 in her ninth season.
 
Leading 53-51 with just over two minutes to go, Galloway – the freshman guard – made the last of her six steals to set up a Smith free throw for a three-point lead. Galloway's steal total matches the most by an MSU Denver player since Kristin Valencia had seven against Regis on Dec. 8, 2010.
 
"Jaiden Galloway (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) had a huge weekend," Haave said. "Her defensive presence is huge. We're a defensive team, and the fact that she can put pressure on the ball is very important."
 
After an exchange of illegal screen violations, Winona State closed within 54-53 with a pair of free throws, then tied the game 54-54 and took a 55-54 lead as Julia Silloway hit 2 of 4 free throws.
 
But Hartegan got a big basket underneath as Smith won a scramble for a loose ball in the lane and lobbed it up to her. That gave the Roadrunners a 56-55 lead with 42 seconds to go.
 
Smith finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.
 
After a tie up gave the ball to the Warriors with 21.4 seconds left, Smith made a clutch steal at the top of the key and passed to Hartegan, who was fouled and made two more free throws with 6.8 seconds left.
 
Hartegan approached her career high of 30 points and matched a career best with her 12 rebounds. She's the first MSU Denver player to have 28 and 12 in a game since Ashley Mickens had the same totals against Adams State on Feb. 29, 2008.
 
"Just a huge game," Haave said.

Leading 58-55, the Roadrunners got one final stop as Galloway contested a 3-pointer at the buzzer that wound up an air ball.
 
MSU Denver is just 1-4 heading into the start of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play next week. But a tough schedule no doubt has the Roadrunners prepared.
 
"We had more of a sense of urgency, more focus, more concentration," Haave said.