DENVER – The MSU Denver women's basketball team got off to another slow start on Saturday, but this time the Roadrunners were unable to overcome it in a 63-43 loss to Colorado Mesa.
 
MSU Denver went scoreless for the first 6:47 of the game, falling behind 11-0, but scored the next five points.
 
However Colorado Mesa, ranked No. 23 in one national poll while receiving votes in the other, moved in front 34-17 at halftime and held off the Roadrunners the rest of the way.
 
Mesa improved to 7-2 overall and 1-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, while MSU Denver dropped to 2-5 and 1-1.
 
Mikylah Espinosa led MSU Denver with 14 points, while Brianna Sealy added nine points, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots and two steals. Freshman Amanda Byrnes had nine points and five rebounds.
 
After shooting just 20 percent from the field in the first half (5 of 25), MSU Denver shot 39.1 percent in the second half (9 of 23).
 
The Roadrunners' defense was solid once again, as it limited Mesa to 39.7 percent from the field.
 
MSU Denver also had a 40-36 rebounding advantage, though it was minus-8 in turnovers (15-7).
 
The Roadrunners travel next weekend for games at Black Hills State on Friday and South Dakota Mines on Saturday. MSU Denver has lost only to teams that were either ranked when the Roadrunners played them, were ranked after the Roadrunners played them, or both.