DENVER – Already a multi-talented, multi-sport athlete, MSU Denver forward
Bree Wellington has brought a couple of extra options to the table this season.
Not only has she continued to be a solid inside player and defender, but during her senior year she has also become an excellent driver who can also knock down free throws when required.
"It's always been there, but I haven't had the confidence to unleash it," Wellington said of her driving ability. "My role has changed in my years here, and this year it's more fluid, where I can go inside or outside."
Heading into Saturday's 7 p.m. home game with Chadron State, a game that will be televised on Channel 20, Wellington is averaging a team-best 9.5 points per game while ranking third on the squad with an average of 4.2 rebounds. She leads the team with a field goal percentage of 45.5.
Though the Roadrunners (3-7 overall, 2-2 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) struggled with their shooting in road losses last weekend at Colorado Mesa and Western Colorado – two of the three unbeaten teams in league play – Wellington was solid while making 11 of 17 from the field and averaging 13.5 points and 5.0 rebounds.
For her efforts, Wellington has been named the MSU Denver Student-Athlete of the Week.
MSU Denver coach
Tanya Haave, noting that the Roadrunners have multiple options for scoring in the low post this season, said that opportunities to score off the dribble have come Wellington's way.
And she's cashing in on them.
"I think she decided that she was going to start going to the rim," Haave said. "And she's done great. She's found a nice balance in picking and choosing the times to do it. Her first step and her jump are so quick that it's hard to defend."
The quick first step and the jumping ability make sense. Wellington also stars for MSU Denver's outdoor track & field team in the sprints and the high jump and has twice scored points in the high jump at the RMAC Championships.
"She can get up, and it's such a quick jump," Haave said.
Meanwhile, Wellington is shooting 80 percent from the free throw line (24 of 30), including 18 of her last 20. Prior to this season, Wellington – despite solid mechanics – was a 53.0 shooter at the line. She put in work on her free throw shooting in the summer, and the repetitions created more confidence.
"It's been a really big issue, and I just decided it's not going to happen in my senior year," Wellington said. "It's just repetition and confidence."
Said Haave: "She worked hard this summer on her skills, her shooting. She's such a great athlete, I'm never worried about her physical condition because she's always in great shape.
"Now, with her shooting, we were setting her up late (in a close game) against Regis so she could get the ball and shoot free throws. And she came through."
The Roadrunners are hoping to come through this weekend with a victory against Chadron State (3-10, 1-3) before taking a two-week break before returning to competition.
"We definitely need some momentum," Haave said. "We had two disappointing losses and we need to take care of business. And we have to not be fooled by Chadron's record. It may not look good, but that's a quality team that is also going to want to have momentum going into the break.
"We have to be ready to play and ready to defend our home court."
Said Wellington: "Those two losses got us to realize what we need to do. We got punched in the face, and it's time to buckle down and get serious."
Meanwhile, the Roadrunners are set to make their debut on Channel 20.
"Every game is a big deal, but it's cool that it's also on TV," Wellington said.
Said Haave: "Any time we can get exposure for women's sports in general or MSU Denver in particular, that's a good thing."
