GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – MSU Denver ran into a hot-shooting, nationally-ranked team Saturday, and though there were plenty of positive moments, the Roadrunners ultimately fell 91-57 to Colorado Mesa.
 
Colorado Mesa, ranked No. 24 in the SID poll, shot 70.6 percent (12 of 17) from the field in the second quarter to pull out to a 48-32 halftime lead and then continued to build on the advantage in the second half.
 
The Mavericks, the defending Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champions who are picked to win the league again this season, forced 18 turnovers while giving up just six, and ended with a 29-6 advantage in points off turnovers. Colorado Mesa also had an 18-6 margin in second-chance points after grabbing 12 offensive rebounds.
 
"We just hadn't with our newness and youth, seen that yet," MSU Denver coach Tanya Haave said. "You try to prepare, you talk about getting good shots, but until you see it, you don't know.
 
"We have young players who are learning the ropes, and they had five seniors in their starting lineup."
 
With Jaela Richardson, the national leader in blocked shots, limited to four first-half minutes after picking up three fouls, the Roadrunners were short on experience on the floor.
 
MSU Denver did start putting some things together in the second half.
 
Allie Navarette finished with 16 points and four rebounds, and freshman guard Tosjanae Bonds broke loose for a career-best eight points.
 
"There were definitely some positives, and we'll build off that," Haave said. "We're learning. This was a good experience, a good lesson."