DENVER – MSU Denver's overall women's basketball record may not be what the Roadrunners would like.
 
But there's still plenty of season left, and it starts with key Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference home games Friday against Fort Lewis and Saturday against Adams State.
 
"We're still right there in the thick of things," MSU Denver coach Tanya Haave said. "We've only played five conference games – 17 left to go."
 
Metropolitan State University of Denver dropped to 3-8 overall with a road non-conference loss Sunday at Northern State (S.D.). The setback mirrored several other losses this season as the Roadrunners fell behind by double digits early in the game only to rally for a second-half lead.
 
"The results may not show it, but we're getting better," Haave said. "On the road on a Sunday … I still believe those experiences benefit us."
 
Coming off a trip to the NCAA Division II national tournament, Haave put together a tough non-conference schedule. The Roadrunners finished 1-5 in non-RMAC games against opponents who have gone a combined 47-21.
 
In the RMAC, though, the Roadrunners are 2-3 and tied for eighth with much still to be decided.
 
It starts with Friday's 5:30 p.m. game at the Auraria Event Center against Fort Lewis. Saturday's game with Adams State tips at 5 p.m.
 
Fort Lewis is 6-5 overall and among the teams tied for eighth at 2-3.
 
The Skyhawks lead the league in scoring (72.7 points per game) and scoring margin (+15.9), while also ranking third in the league in field-goal percentage defense (35.0). They rank first or second in the league in turnover margin (+7.3), assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.24), assists (16.0) and steals (11.3).
 
They also have four players averaging in double figures in scoring, led by 6-foot senior Alyssa Yocky at 13.3 per game. Yocky also ranks fourth in the RMAC in rebounds (7.7 per game) and third in steals (2.1).
 
"They're always solid and they play well against us," Haave said. "It'll be a challenge – any game in the RMAC is right now because the league is pretty balanced. They like to run and shoot 3s. They're very balanced. They're a tough team."
 
Adams State is only 1-8 overall and 1-4 in the RMAC. But that one win is against Fort Lewis.
 
"Obviously, they're dangerous," Haave said.
 
Stephanie Ruiz is seventh in the RMAC in scoring at 15.7 points per game while ranking third in the league with 2.7 made 3s per game.
 
Meanwhile MSU Denver has been solid defensively but has struggled from the field in its current four-game losing streak.
 
Senior guard Jaelynn Smith (Denver, Colo./East) is fifth in the RMAC in scoring (16.0 points per game), second in assists (4.7 per game), ninth in steals (1.8 per game) and has even managed to pull down 6.5 rebounds per game to rank in a tie for 15^th in the league.
 
Senior forward Emily Hartegan (Wylie, Texas/Wylie East) is 12^th in the league in both scoring (13.6 points per game) and rebounding (6.8).
 
"We need 'J' and Emily to keep doing what they're doing – they had rare off nights Sunday," Haave said. "And we just need a couple of people to hit some shots and get some confidence. We just need to stay with them and keep encouraging them."