DENVER – Behind a dominant defensive start and a career-tying scoring performance from Nevaeh Millard, the MSU Denver women's basketball team bounced back in a big way, earning a 62–55 win over Western Colorado on Saturday afternoon at the Auraria Events Center.
The victory snaps the Roadrunners' brief skid following Thursday's loss to Colorado Mesa and improves MSU Denver to 10–12 overall and 8–6 in RMAC play, as the team has now won five of its last six games.
MSU Denver set the tone immediately, opening the game with one of its most impressive defensive quarters of the season. The Roadrunners held Western Colorado to just three points in the first quarter, building a 24–3 advantage after 10 minutes of play. The three points allowed marked the fewest points MSU Denver has surrendered in any quarter this season, as the Mountaineers shot just 1-for-15 from the field in the opening frame.
Millard carried the offensive load for the Roadrunners, pouring in 29 points to tie her career high while shooting 13-for-26 from the floor. The sophomore added four rebounds, two assists, and a season-high five steals, consistently creating scoring opportunities in transition and applying pressure on the defensive end.
Western Colorado responded in the second quarter, trimming the deficit with a strong shooting stretch, but MSU Denver maintained control heading into halftime. The second half turned into a back-and-forth battle, with each team trading runs after both squads dominated one quarter in the opening half.
Keira Mitchell once again anchored the Roadrunners defensively, finishing with a team-high eight rebounds, four blocks, and four steals, altering shots in the paint and igniting fast breaks. Mikylah Espinosa orchestrated the offense, leading MSU Denver with six assists while adding 11 points of her own.
Despite not scoring a field goal, Madi Johnson made a major impact, pulling down seven rebounds and dishing out five assists, both second-best on the team, while providing steady defense and ball movement throughout her 36 minutes on the floor.
MSU Denver sealed the win at the free-throw line late and with key defensive stops down the stretch, holding Western Colorado to 29.7 percent shooting for the game.
The Roadrunners will look to carry the momentum forward as they continue RMAC play next week.
