DENVER – Bree Wellington is an entrepreneur, one who seeks out opportunities and makes the most of them.
 
That could be on the basketball court, where she can take advantage of her ability to drive to the hoop to score, or get fouled and shoot free throws. Or it could be in track & field, where during the outdoor season she uses the same explosive first step and terrific leaping ability that benefit her in basketball to also star in the high jump and the sprints. And it could be off the court, where, almost literally, she is an entrepreneur, operating her own eyelash business called "Blashes by Bree."
 
"The lash business is going great," Wellington said. "I want to eventually get in a shop and have my own boutique. I'm just building up and practicing my craft."
 
Wellington practiced her basketball craft last weekend, with back-to-back games where she was nearly unstoppable while averaging 18.5 points on 60.0 percent shooting from the field (9 of 15). She also earned 24 free throw attempts, and made 19 of them, as the Roadrunners earned a critical road split.
 
"She was our most consistent offensive player," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach Tanya Haave said. "She really got to the free throw line. She's playing the way you want your seniors to play."
 
Based on that success, Wellington has been named MSU Denver's Student-Athlete of the Week for the second time this season.
 
She's looking to continue her highly efficient play this weekend, as the Roadrunners return home for games Friday against South Dakota Mines at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday against Black Hills State at 5 p.m.

"I'm working on doing what I can for the moment," Wellington said. "This past weekend, I did a lot (of scoring) because I knew we needed to get to the free throw line to win the game. Maybe this weekend it'll be defense, or just being a leader."

Friday's game is a "We Back Pat Night for Alzheimer's Awareness," with fans encouraged to wear purple. It's in honor of legendary Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt, who coached Haave with the Lady Vols.
 
Wellington leads the Roadrunners this season with an average of 10.9 points per game. She's third with an average of 4.7 rebounds and second with an average of 0.8 blocked shots. She's also shooting a team-best 50.0 percent from the field and is second among qualifiers in free throw percentage at 74.4.
 
She has also 90 free throw attempts this season, fourth among Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference players.
 
"When she picks and chooses her spots, there aren't many, 1-on-1, who can stop her," Haave said.
 
Despite her speed, it's when Wellington slows things down that she is at her best. It's a matter of not rushing and not too fast too soon.
 
"That was probably the key to everything," Wellington said. "It really opened the doors for me. (Haave) has been saying that to me for years. Once I did that I thought, 'Oh, that's what she was talking about.'"
 
Said Haave: "It's nice to see the improvements that she's made since she came in as a freshman. Her jump shot has improved. And she's been able to slow down on a consistent basis. That's a reason you coach, to see kids to do that, to see hard work pay off."
 
While her offense gets her noticed, it's Wellington's defense that is her focus.
 
"That's the fun part," she said. "You guard somebody and try to take away what they do best."
 
Said Haave: "We're putting her on the toughest interior post player. She's really taken that to heart, taking a lot of pride in it."
 
MSU Denver is gearing up for a late season push, and Wellington's contributions will be key. 
 
Though just 8-11 overall, the Roadrunners are 7-6 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference for eighth place. Though the top eight teams will qualify for the RMAC Tournament, the Roadrunners are hopeful that playing six of their final nine games at home will give them a chance to move up the league ladder.
 
Should the Roadrunners manage to win all their home games and pick off a couple of teams on the road, a first-round home game as one of the top four seeds isn't out of the question.
 
"It's just go hard or go home," Wellington said. "We're trying to get in there, and every game is valuable."
 
That includes this weekend. South Dakota Mines is 8-9 overall and is tied for ninth in the RMAC at 6-7. Black Hills State is 11-7 overall and is tied for sixth in the RMAC at 8-5.
 
"Black Hills is right ahead of us and South Dakota Mines is right behind us," Haave said. "It's a cliché, but it really is one game at a time.
 
"But we're in a great position with six of our last nine at home."
 
Meanwhile, Wellington's burgeoning business continues. Most of her teammates are among a client list of about 50 and the Roadrunners may lead the league in lash length.
 
One who hasn't joined the club is Haave, who famously promised to get a tattoo last year if outgoing senior Jaelynn Smith would ever get a triple double. Smith did it on Senior Night.
 
The stakes haven't exactly been set for Haave and Wellington, though.
 
"Coach needs to get some," Wellington said.
 
Said Haave: "Let's say that's a big maybe."
 
What makes Blashes by Bree the choice of choosy consumers?
 
"Because it's me," Wellington said. "And I just love lashes. I really take my time with it."
 
There are several options, Wellington explained.
 
"You can get classic, where I put a little on your lashes, or hybrid, where it's a little bit more, and then there's volume, which is what I get, where you can see them," she said. "I attach the lash to each lash that you have."
 
What would the choice be for Haave?
 
"Definitely the volume," Wellington said. "That would be so funny."