Lubbock, Texas- The Metropolitan State University of Denver women's basketball team defeated CSU-Pueblo 78-70 in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday afternoon to move on to the second round of the tournament.
 
MSU Denver never trailed throughout the game and maintained a comfortable lead through most of the game.  Four ended in double figures; senior Georgia Ohrdorf (Wollongong, Australia/St. Mary Star of the Sea College), Junior Jaelynn Smith (Denver, Colo./East H.S.), and senior J'Nae Squires-Horton (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sand Creek H.S.) all ended the day with 17. Junior Emily Hartegan (Wylie, Texas/Wylie East H.S.) added 10 for the Roadrunners. Ohrdorf added 12 boards for the double double.
 
The Roadrunners held the Thunderwolves scoreless through the first three and a half minutes of the first quarter to take a 6-0 lead. MSU Denver held a 16-9 lead at the end of the first.  Senior Emily Hartegan (Wylie, Texas/Wylie East H.S.) had six first quarter points for the Roadrunners.
 
A 9-0 run from CSU-Pueblo to start the second quarter would tie the game up at 18 with 6:34 remaining in the first half. However, the Roadrunners would go on to score the next seven to regain a 25-18 lead.
 
The team held a six point lead going into half time at 30-24. Hartegan and junior Jonalyn Wittwer (Fall Creek, Wis./Fall Creek H.S.) both had eight first half points for their team. The Roadrunners shot 37 percent from the field and held the Thunderwolves to 26 percent in the first half.
 
MSU Denver began the second half strong taking an 11-point lead three minutes into the third quarter.
 
The momentum would continue with the Roadrunners taking a 52-38 lead heading into the final quarter of the game.
 
The Roadrunners never took the foot off the gas and despite the Thunderwolves bringing it within seven, the Roadrunners pulled off the 78-70 win
 
MSU Denver will take on the winner of Arkansas Fort-Smith and West Texas A&M on Saturday at 6 p.m. CT. There will be a watch party at the Tivoli Tap House to support the Roadrunners.