DENVER – During its difficult non-conference schedule against top teams, MSU Denver didn't spend too much time playing with the lead.
 
Turns out the Roadrunners like it.
 
MSU Denver led by as many as 14 points in the first half, and while Regis made repeated runs, the Roadrunners had more than enough to pick up a 79-74 victory Friday night in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference women's basketball opener.
 
"We had a big lead and I think we relaxed a little bit," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach Tanya Haave said. "The fact that we were able to weather not just one, but a couple of storms, that to me is better learning for us than if we would have won by 25. I like having a game like this. These (conference) games are going to be like this."
 
Redshirt freshman forward Jaela Richardson had a strong overall game with a career-high 19 points to go along with eight rebounds, three assists, four steals and a blocked shot, while Jaiden Galloway had her first career double-double with 11 points and a career-best 10 assists.
 
"Jaela was really great tonight," Haave said. "She started off a little tentative at first, but I told her if she was going to the basket she needed to be going hard.
 
"And Jaiden is growing into that role of being our primary point guard. It's nice to see her hit a couple of big 3s, too."
 
MSU Denver (2-5 overall) built a 33-19 second-quarter lead, but Regis had it down to 40-37 by halftime and then scored the first five points of the second half to move back in front. The Roadrunners recovered for a 52-46 lead on a Galloway 3, but back came Regis to take a 55-54 lead at the end of the third quarter.
 
Then the Roadrunners used a 9-0 run – with five points from Morgan Lewis and four from Mariah Schroeder – to take a 68-59 lead with 4:22 left. The Rangers never got within seven again until the final minute.
 
"It was different playing with the lead, but it allowed us to get a little comfortable knowing that we could make a mistake," Richardson said. "But we still had to attack."
 
Attack is what Richardson did, showing her versatility while shooting jump shots, driving to the hoop, or posting up down low.
 
"I just had the ball and played, and whatever the defense gave me I took," Richardson said. "I just wanted to win the game."
 
Said Galloway: "Jaela … she's good."
 
Richadson and Galloway had plenty of help, of course, as the Roadrunners' balance and depth was on display once again.
 
Lewis had 14 points and seven rebounds, Bree Wellington had 11 points, six rebounds and three steals, and Schroeder added 10 points to give MSU Denver five players in double figures.
 
"It feels really good to be on a two-game winning streak," Galloway said. "We have a lot of energy right now."
 
MSU Denver will try to make it three in a row Saturday with a 5 p.m. home game against Colorado Christian (1-6, 1-0).

"I'm excited to start off the conference season with a win on our home floor," Haave said.