DENVER – MSU Denver freshman guard Jaiden Galloway (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) is growing up before her team's eyes.
 
"She's clutch," senior guard Jaelynn Smith (Denver, Colo./East) said. "She's been amazing, and I can't express enough appreciation for what she's been able to do. We lost a lot (from last year's team), so it's nice to know she's not afraid to come in and do some things and maximize on her opportunities. I feel like I'm a proud parent."
 
Galloway has quickly moved into a role as dynamic defender and overall irritant to opposing guards. She had six steals in a Nov. 24 win over Winona State (Minn.), and last weekend she limited Regis star Majestie Robinson to 4 of 15 shooting from the field.
 
She has quickly transformed from 15-minutes-per-game substitute through four games of the season into a 30-minutes-per-game regular over the last four games.
 
"I knew she'd be able to come in and defend," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach Tanya Haave said. "I knew that would get her playing time. I just didn't know when. It's been great to see, and it's been nice to have the luxury of someone who is really able to put pressure on the ball."
 
Galloway said she went into the season hoping to make the biggest contribution she possible could, and she's well on her way.
 
"It gives me a lot of confidence to know that coach trusts me in those positions," Galloway said. "A little up and down so far, but overall it's gone well."
 
Galloway is averaging just 2.3 points per game thus far, but she's tied for sixth in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference with an average of 2.0 steals per game. Her six-steal game earlier this season matched the most by any Roadrunners player since 2010 and is tied for the most by any RMAC player this season.
 
She'll likely continue to draw the assignment of defending one of the opponents' top perimeter players.
 
"She did a great job on Robinson," Haave said. "And with her being able to do that, it takes a lot of pressure off Joni (Jonalyn Wittwer (Fall Creek, Wis./Fall Creek)), and takes the pressure off Jay (Smith).
 
"On offense, she just needs more confidence and consistency. It's a different level of defense that she's facing. She'll come along."
 
Galloway will be called upon again this weekend, as MSU Denver (3-5 overall, 2-1 and tied for fifth in the RMAC) plays home games Saturday against Colorado Mesa (6-1, 3-0) and Western Colorado (3-2, 1-2). Both games are set to tip a 4 p.m. at the Auraria Event Center.
 
"Mesa is always solid," Haave said. "They've got a really good scorer and they defend well. And Western, along with Colorado Christian, could be the most improved team in the league."
 
Said Galloway: "This is a big weekend. It'll test how strong we are. It's going to be a battle both games."
 
Galloway stayed close to home to play her college basketball, and she's glad she did.
 
"I just love (MSU Denver)," Galloway said. "I have a lot of family members here, and my brother is 1 (year old) and I didn't want him to forget about me if I went away for college. I really like the coaches here."
 
Down the road, she'll probably move into an even more prominent role. And she's got an excellent mentor in Smith.

"I do pay a lot of attention to what Jay does," Galloway said. "I hope that next year I'll be the starting point guard, so I'm trying to learn all that I can from her – it helps a lot that she's here."
 
And Smith is sharing everything she can.
 
"As much as possible, yes," Smith said. "But, defensively, she's put me onto a few things."