DENVER – People like to talk about the down side of comfort, and the benefit of getting out of your comfort zone.
 
But there's a lot to be said for it.
 
Take a look at MSU Denver senior guard Maggie Justinak. A junior-college transfer who was an every-gamer starter last season in her first year in the program, she has improved her numbers across the board through her first seven games this season.
 
"It's my second year here, and I was a little timid, a little nervous, my first year," Justinak said. "I feel like I have my feet under me, and I feel much more secure."
 
Heading into a tough weekend with home games Friday at 5:30 p.m. against Colorado Mesa and Saturday at 4 p.m. against Westminster, Justinak has increased her scoring average from 7.2 to 10.6 points per game, upped her field goal percentage from 31.9 to 41.2 and improved her 3-point percentage from 30.7 to 38.9. Also up are her assists (2.0 to 3.9 per game) and rebounds (3.3 to 4.1).
 
"She's playing, and practicing, like a senior," MSU Denver coach Tanya Haave said. "Second year in the program, getting used to it, it's really nice to see."
 
Justinak had some big moments in her first season with the Roadrunners, but there's no denying the increased impact she's had in 2020-21.
 
During the team's current three-game winning streak, she's averaging 14.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists while shooting 44.7 percent from the field (17 of 38).
 
"My mindset has changed a lot, especially after last season ended," Justinak said. "I knew what I wanted to accomplish this year coming back as a senior and having conversations with (Assistant) Coach Taylor (Proctor) about leadership. There's definitely a new understanding of that term, and I've found new ways to lead, whether it's vocally or by example."
 
Besides leadership, Haave also likes the fiery brand of energy that Justinak brings.
 
"She's very passionate and she can get upset," Haave said. "But I'd rather have to deal with that than try to pull someone along. We just try to channel her energy in a positive way, and that's coming along. She's done a lot of work."
 
Justinak did some major work in last Thursday's 75-68 win over Adams State, when she matched a career-high with 17 points, handed out a career-best seven assists and added six rebounds. She knocked down a critical 3-pointer with just under three minutes left to put the MSU Denver lead at 69-62 and more or less seal the game.
 
That represents the only game the Roadrunners have played since Dec. 17 due to various issues revolving around COVID-19 testing.
 
"It's been crazy," Justinak said. "It's been very interesting to go about a season in a whole new way. I definitely don't love it, but we're given what we're given. We're all together and that's the biggest thing. Coach says, 'trust the process,' and that's what we're doing, even if the process has been a little shifty."
 
Justinak decided to join the MSU Denver program prior to last season after narrowing her choice down to another Roadrunner program – Division I Texas-San Antonio – after a strong two-season stint at Casper (Wyo.) College.
 
"It was a battle, because she was very good at Casper and had some DIs and other schools after her," Haave said. "But we got her down here for a visit and she really liked it."
 
This weekend will be a serious battle, with Colorado Mesa bringing a 7-1 record (both overall and in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) into the Auraria Event Center, while Westminster is 2-1 (overall and RMAC) heading into a Friday night game. No fans will be admitted, but all Roadrunners games are available live and on demand on Roadrunners TV.
 
Mesa and Westminster were picked to finish first and third, respectively, in the RMAC and are currently first and tied for fourth. MSU Denver's second game of the season was at Colorado Mesa on Dec. 5, and the Roadrunners (4-3, 3-2) dropped a 91-57 decision.
 
"You've got two really solid teams coming in, and I'm glad we've at least got them at home," Haave said. "It was a big ask for our team that our first road game was at Mesa with a brand-new team that included three freshmen. And you could tell by the way we played. The hope is that we've evolved a little bit – and I'm sure they have as well."