DENVER — MSU Denver women's basketball erased a double-digit second-half deficit Thursday evening, storming back for a nail-biting 86-85 RMAC victory over CSU Pueblo to extend its winning streak to four games.
With the win, the Roadrunners improve to 13-12 overall and 11-6 in conference play, moving two games clear of Pueblo in the standings and solidifying their hold on sixth place.
In a game that featured four lead changes and six ties, MSU Denver leaned on its star power and timely defense to flip the script late. After trailing by as many as 12 points in the third quarter, the Roadrunners delivered a dominant fourth-quarter performance, outscoring the ThunderWolves down the stretch to complete the comeback.
Mikylah Espinosa delivered one of the most electric performances in recent program history, pouring in a career-high 37 points on a hyper-efficient 16-of-25 shooting from the field. The senior knocked down a career-best five three-pointers (5-of-11) and added four steals, four rebounds and two assists in a do-it-all effort. Espinosa's 37 points are tied for the third-most by an RMAC player this season and sit just four shy of the program's all-time single-game record of 41.
Nevaeh Millard provided the perfect complement, scoring 22 points with four rebounds and two steals. The duo combined for 59 of MSU Denver's 86 points, repeatedly answering Pueblo runs and igniting the fourth-quarter surge.
The Roadrunners also made their mark defensively and in transition, capitalizing on turnovers for 23 points while holding Pueblo to just 13 points off giveaways. Jadyn Watts added 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds to go along with two steals, while Keira Mitchell anchored the paint with four blocks — the only player in the game to record a rejection.
After battling back-and-forth all night, MSU Denver seized control in the final minutes behind clutch shot-making and defensive stops, turning a tense Thursday showdown into a statement win. With momentum building and four straight victories in hand, the Roadrunners continue to surge at the right time in RMAC play.
