GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – A cold-shooting tonight was too much to overcome for the MSU Denver women's basketball team Saturday night as it dropped a 56-43 decision at Western Colorado.
 
The Roadrunners (3-7 overall, 2-2 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) recorded a season-low point total while shooting just 27.7 percent from the field.
 
"It was a defensive battle, and our shooting eventually got to us," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach Tanya Haave said. "We were ready to play and we competed, and those were things we were really concerned about after (Friday). We got good looks, but we couldn't knock them down."
 
Center Leya Harvey scored a season-high 15 points and forward Bree Wellington added 12, and they were among three Roadrunners to share the team lead with four rebounds.
 
"Leya defended well and she was able to stay out of foul trouble," Haave said. "That's something we can build on, because we need that kind of presence.
 
"She and Bree both shot halfway decent for us."
 
Western Colorado (6-2, 4-0) led 15-6 after the first quarter and stretched the lead to 43-26 late in the third quarter. Two Wellington free throws got the Roadrunners within 47-38 with 4:40 left but they could get no closer.
 
Though it was an 0-2 weekend road trip, MSU Denver did play two of the three RMAC teams who are undefeated in league play.
 
"I think we grew up a little bit, and we got a little tougher," Haave said. "Not that we weren't tough already. Now we've got to come back and work hard to get ready to play Chadron State at home (on Saturday)."