DENTON, Texas – MSU Denver was whistled for a school-record 38 fouls, including 23 in the final 25 minutes despite playing with the lead for much of the time, and only after six players fouled out did the Roadrunners finally succumb to host Texas Woman's 86-83 in three overtimes in a Saturday women's basketball game.
 
"The fight that we showed, and the way we stuck together, will benefit us in the long run," MSU Denver coach Tanya Haave said. "We did a lot of growing up tonight. At the end, we were left with freshmen and players who haven't played much. But the resilience we showed was huge."
 
Jaela Richardson had 17 points, a career-high 14 rebounds and three blocked shots, while Allie Navarette had 13 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks of her own. Navarette was later named to the all-tournament team.

It was the first game in MSU Denver women's basketball history to go more than two overtimes and was the first multi-overtime game for the program since 2004.
 
Texas Woman's shot 47 free throws, making 37 – breaking the previous school record for free throws by an MSU Denver opponent (Nebraska-Kearney made 33 in a Feb. 7, 2009 game). The school record for free throw attempts by an opponent is 48, set by Wayne State (Neb.) on Dec. 5, 1991. MSU Denver's previous record for fouls in a game was 37 against South Dakota State on Dec. 19, 2000.
 
The Pioneers were whistled for 22 fouls, and MSU Denver made 17 of 22 free throws.
 
The Roadrunners outscored Texas Woman's from the field 66-49.
 
But the 33 turnovers MSU Denver committed is an area that needs improvement.
 
"They pressed us a little, but most of the turnovers came in the half court," Haave said. "We were in a hurry and we weren't executing. But I'm proud of how we hung in there and showed resilience and persistence."
 
MSU Denver trailed by five points with 3:38 left in regulation, but tied the game at 52, 54 and 56, all on baskets by Richardson.
 
The Roadrunners never trailed and led by as many as four points in the first overtime, but Texas Woman's tied the game after making six free throws in the final 2:24, including one with four seconds to go.
 
MSU Denver never trailed and led by as many as six points in the second overtime, but Texas Woman's scored its final four points at the line, including two with 10 seconds left.
 
The Roadrunners led by as many as five points in the third overtime, and never trailed until Texas Woman's made two free throws with 27 seconds left. All nine of the Pioneers' points in the third overtime were on free throws.
 
Despite leading for nearly second through three overtimes, MSU Denver was called for 19 fouls after regulation to just nine for Texas Woman's.
 
"It was a fun game to be a part of, and we just came up a little bit short," Haave said. "They have a solid team and it would've been nice to get a win, but we just need to be a little better controlling our turnovers and staying disciplined."