CANYON, Texas – MSU Denver women's basketball opened its 2026-27 regular season Friday afternoon, falling 66-57 to Texas Woman's at the First United Bank Center.
The contest marked the first game at the helm for first-year head coach Mario Caetano, as the Roadrunners (0-1) began their season against the Pioneers.
MSU Denver kept the game close early, trailing 11-9 after the opening quarter. Texas Woman's created separation in the second, outscoring the Roadrunners 23-14 to take a 34-23 advantage into halftime. The Pioneers connected on four three-pointers in the quarter to build their lead.
The Roadrunners responded after the break, putting together a 13-point third quarter before finding their rhythm offensively in the fourth. MSU Denver scored 21 points in the final period, shooting 58.3 percent from the field and knocking down three of its five attempts from beyond the arc.
Nevaeh Millard and Jadyn Watts led the Roadrunners with 16 points apiece. Millard finished 5-of-9 from the field, including 3-of-6 from three-point range, and went a perfect 3-for-3 at the free-throw line. Watts added six field goals, including a three-pointer, and made three of her four free-throw attempts.
MSU Denver made a late push in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to five at 56-61 after a three-pointer from Watts with 2:55 remaining. Texas Woman's answered with a three-pointer of its own just over a minute later to regain an eight-point cushion and held on down the stretch.
Jada Price led the Roadrunners with seven rebounds, while Keira Mitchell added six points and six rebounds off the bench. MSU Denver finished with 31 rebounds and eight steals, with Mitchell and Millard each recording two steals. The Roadrunners shot 37.5 percent from the field and 84.6 percent at the free-throw line.
MSU Denver will look to close its opening weekend with a win when it faces Angelo State at 11 a.m. MT on Saturday in Canyon, Texas.
