SALT LAKE CITY – Westminster's Elizabeth Means hit a 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds to go Friday night to send MSU Denver to a disappointing 67-64 defeat in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference women's basketball opener for both teams.
 
MSU Denver led for 86 percent of the game, and by as many as 10 points, at 44-34, in the third quarter.
 
"Our execution just has to be a little bit better," MSU Denver coach Tanya Haave said. "We didn't shoot very well and didn't shoot free throws very well. And we didn't get the ball where we needed it in the last minute."
 
High-scoring Roadrunners guard Kendra Parra had a difficult shooting night in a game where a total of only 27 fouls were called, but she hit a clutch 3-pointer with 53 seconds left to give MSU Denver a 63-60 lead.
 
Westminster scored to make it a one-point game, and MSU Denver had the ball out of bounds in front of its own bench when Brianna Bailey, playing through heavy contact, went down to the ground and had the ball go out of bounds for a turnover. Westminster could afford to play physically as it had four fouls to give before risking a free throw.
 
Means hit a jumper to put Westminster ahead 64-63 with 17 seconds left, but MSU Denver's Tosjanae Bonds was fouled on a drive with 10 seconds to go. Bonds hit the first free throw to tie the game, but the second one rattled out.
 
Westminster called time out and set up its final, game-winning play.
 
Bailey led the Roadrunners with 14 points, the former Division III star's best since joining the program two seasons ago.
 
Posts Miza Gilberto and Brianna Sealy were excellent in combining for 20 points and nine rebounds, Gilberto, a junior college transferm had 12 points on 6 of 7 shooting.
 
"Miza was amazing, and Bri Bailey was, too," Haave said. "They both stepped up for us. I'm pleased to see Miza slowing down and making shots. It was great to see."
 
Parra snared a team-best eight rebounds.
 
MSU Denver shot just 40.4 percent from the field but give itself more chances by grabbing 11 offensive rebounds.
 
"We were a little off with our rhythm and timing all night," Haave said. "We just have to continue to learn from it and we have to coach better."
 
MSU Denver (2-5 overall) plays Saturday at Colorado Mesa, which lost 67-55 Friday night to Colorado School of Mines.