DENVER – After a hot start, MSU Denver had a cold-shooting second quarter and, after falling behind, was unable to complete a comeback in falling 70-61 Saturday to Western Colorado.
 
MSU Denver shot 54.5 percent from the field and made 2 of 3 from 3-point territory in racing out to a 21-17 lead after the opening quarter.
 
But the tide turned in the second stanza, as the Roadrunners made just 4 of 14 from the field (28.6 percent), including just 1 of 8 from 3, as Western Colorado took a 35-30 lead into the break.
 
MSU Denver made 3 of 4 from 3 in the third quarter, but hit just 2 of 12 inside the arc.
 
Trailing 52-45 after three quarters, the Roadrunners fell further behind before making it close late. But the Roadrunners made just 3 of 8 free throws in the final frame, putting them at 12 of 22 from the charity stripe for the night.
 
"Unfortunately, that's kind of the story of our season, we struggle in different areas at different times," MSU Denver coach Tanya Haave said. "We're still trying to find consistency."
 
Mikylah Espinosa led MSU Denver with 16 points – she's averaging 23.3 points over her last three games.
 
Tosjanae Bonds added 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists and four steals, and Brooklynn Jones scored 10.