PUEBLO, Colo. – The rapidly improving MSU Denver women's basketball team couldn't quite finish off a two-game road sweep on Saturday after being unable to hold off a furious finish by host CSU Pueblo.
 
MSU Denver led 63-50 with 6:43 to play on a 3-pointer by Mikylah Espinosa, but CSU Pueblo finished the game on a 23-6 run to win 73-69.
 
CSU Pueblo made all 10 of its fourth-quarter field goal attempts, including three 3-pointers, while scoring 27 points in the final 10 minutes.
 
MSU Denver played well in nearly every phase of the game but couldn't capitalize at the free throw line, making just 5 of 12 in the fourth quarter and 7 of 16 after halftime. The Roadrunners also had 20 turnovers, and CSU Pueblo was credited with 18 steals.
 
"Ultimately we started playing not to lose too much," MSU Denver coach Tanya Haave said. "We got tentative, got on heels, and on the road you definitely have to hit free throws."
 
The Roadrunners held the lead in the 40-minute game for 32 minutes, 28 seconds. CSU Pueblo took its first lead of the second half with 1:07 left.
 
"From an energy, working hard and competing standpoint, it was outstanding," Haave said. "That is one of the most talented teams in the conference, and we were right there with them."
 
Espinosa led the Roadrunners with 16 points and added five rebounds and six assists, while Tosjanae Bonds scored both inside and out in getting a season-high 15 points on 5 of 6 from the field, including both of her 3-point attempts.
 
As in Friday's victory at New Mexico Highlands, forward Laci Roffle and guard Ashlyn Yow provided a scoring spark off the bench, recording 11 and 10 points, respectively.
 
"We can learn from this," Haave said. "We got into foul trouble in the post against a Player of the Year candidate (Alisha Little scored 28 points). It comes down to making plays at the end.
 
"But we have some freshmen growing up. We just need to build on this."
 
MSU Denver dropped to 3-10 overall and 2-6 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Roadrunners return home for games Friday against UCCS and Saturday against Regis, with tip times at 5 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., respectively.