DENVER – There's a new shooter in town.
 
True freshman Ashley Bernales knocked down 6 of 8 attempts from 3-point range on Saturday to lead MSU Denver to a 79-64 women's basketball exhibition victory over MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) at the Auraria Event Center.
 
"We knew she was a good shooter," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach Tanya Haave said. "She's got a high release and she's long. I'm really happy for her because she struggled this week in practice. But that's typical of a freshman. She had a great game. She took what the defense gave her. And she allowed us to spread the floor a little bit."
 
The 5-foot-10 Bernales made 3 of 4 from long distance in each half in scoring 18 points.
 
"I was really nervous, but once I got in there it was like I was back home playing basketball," Bernales said. "It felt very natural."
 
MidAmerica Nazarene was 25-6 last season and is ranked 14^th in the NAIA Division I preseason poll. The Pioneers, NAIA national champions in 2016, have reached the Sweet 16 of their national tournament five teams in the last eight seasons.
 
"That's a quality opponent," Haave said. "So I really think the sky is the limit for us, because that's a really good team."
 
MidAmerica Nazarene, with three transfers from NCAA Division II's rugged Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association on its roster, jumped out to a 12-6 lead and led 23-18 after the first quarter.
 
"I think we had a lot of nerves," Haave said. "First game and a completely brand-new team. Everyone is in a different role."
 
The Roadrunners responded with a 29-7 advantage in the second quarter to lead 47-30 at the break.
 
"We kind of found our groove, found our intensity, found how we need to play," Haave said. "We settled down in the second quarter."
 
Bernales was one of five Roadrunners to score in double figures.
 
Maggie Justinak scored 14, while Mariah Schroeder and Morgan Lewis each had 12.
 
Jaela Richardson had 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots. Like Richardson, Jaiden Galloway stuffed the stats sheet with four points, seven assists and three steals. Justinak and Schroeder also had three steals each.
 
"I really like the balance we have on this team," Haave said. "Everyone who played contributed. We played a little smarter today than we did last week (in a closed scrimmage)."
 
MSU Denver opens the regular season next weekend at the Al Kaly Shrine Classic hosted by CSU-Pueblo. The Roadrunners will face Texas A&M-Commerce at 3:30 p.m. Friday before squaring off with Lubbock Christian (Texas), ranked No. 2 (coaches) and No. 1 (SIDs), at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.