LUBBOCK, Texas – Playing one of the top teams in NCAA Division II, the Metropolitan State University of Denver women's basketball team started strong Friday before falling 73-53 to 10^th-ranked Lubbock Christian.
 
MSU Denver jumped out to a 23-8 lead late in the first quarter against a team that knocked off Division I Southern Methodist and nearly repeated the feat against New Mexico in exhibition games.
 
"We just came out busting it, and it was great," MSU Denver coach Tanya Haave said. "But you knew they'd make a comeback and a run. And when they upped their intensity, we didn't quite match it."
 
Emily Hartegan (Wylie, Texas/Wylie East) led the Roadrunners with 16 points, while Jaelynn Smith (Denver, Colo./East) added 12 points and team bests of seven rebounds and three assists.
 
The Lady Chaps outscored MSU Denver 24-8 in the second quarter for a 34-31 halftime lead, and held an advantage of only 49-42 entering the fourth quarter.
 
But the Roadrunners were held without a field goal for the final 6:09.
 
"For three quarters we were pretty solid, and then the wheels kind of came off in the fourth quarter," Haave said. "That's one of the top teams in the region, so now we have our measuring stick. I don't know that they are 20 points better than us, but now we know where we are. We did some good things and there's still room for growth for us."
 
Maddi Chitsey led Lubbock Christian with 21 points, and Allie Schulte added 18.
 
MSU Denver plays the second game of the TAJ Hospitality Classic on Saturday at 4 p.m. MST against Texas A&M-Commerce. Colorado State University-Pueblo knocked off the Lions 77-68 in overtime in Friday's other game at the Rip Griffin Center.
 
"They're a very athletic team," Haave said. "They can get to the rim and can cause some havoc. It's definitely going to be a tough matchup. We'll have to be very smart and execute our game plan for 40 minutes."