ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Playing at full strength, and with its regular rotation, not to mention on the road against arguably its best opponent, MSU Denver responded with easily its most impressive performance so far – a 76-54 victory Saturday night at Central Washington.
 
"We're finally get to where we're figuring out our rotations, figuring out what works and what doesn't," MSU Denver coach Tanya Haave said. "And that made a huge difference."
 
Jaela Richardson scored a career-high 23 points and added eight rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots as MSU Denver improved to 4-1. Central Washington, picked fifth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, dropped to 4-2.
 
"That was our best game by far," Haave said. "We had 20 assists, really defended well, we had great energy, great intensity and great teamwork. It was fantastic to see."
 
Despite making just 1 of 8 from 3-point range, MSU Denver shot 58.3 percent overall from the field, led by Richardson at 11 of 15.
 
"She was aggressive and looking for her shot," Haave said. "She went to the basket well and played hard defensively. She made a couple and got confidence.
 
"The beauty of this team is that it can always be someone's night."
 
Allie Navarette added a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds.
 
"Between Jaela and Allie, our posts got 40 points," Haave said. "But that's a team thing as well. We were getting them the ball in great spots."
 
Alex Carlton had nine points and four assists and Tosjanae Bonds had six points and seven rebounds while, as usual, playing outstanding defense.
 
MSU Denver jumped out to an 18-4 lead at the end of the first quarter and then kept the host Wildcats at bay the rest of the way.
 
"I think it all started with Tos guarding their best player (Kizzah Maltezo)," Haave said. "That really set the tone for us when she couldn't get going. It took them out of what they wanted to do."
 
Maltezo, averaging 21.4 points coming into the game, was held to four while shooting 1 of 13 from the field.
 
"It was a fun game to coach from start to finish," Haave said.