Cassondra Bratton finished her second season on the Metro State coaching staff in 2012-13, and first season as a full-time assistant.
She helped an inexperienced squad in 2012-13 to 21 wins and the third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance after graduating four key seniors from 2012, including All-America point guard Jasmine Cervantes. MSU Denver still finished second in the RMAC in 2013 despite returning just five players and even advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament after the Roadrunners upset third-seed St. Mary's (Texas) in the first round.
As has become custom with Roadrunners teams, MSU Denver led the RMAC in scoring defense (51.2) in conference games and held opponents to an RMAC-best .350 field goal percentage. Metro State was led by RMAC defensive player of the year Kristin Valencia, who graduates second in career rebounding at Metro State.
With only the five returning players eligible for academic all-conference, four Roadrunners earned the honor as the team continued its excellence in the classroom.
In Bratton's first season as a student assistant in 2011-12, the Roadrunners won the RMAC regular season championship and went 27-4 overall, including 20-2 in the RMAC. They advanced to the NCAA tournament, winning two games to reach the Sweet Sixteen and Central Region championship game, where they fell at top-ranked and top-seed Wayne State (Neb.). Bratton's primary duties during her first season included working with the post players, player development, scouting and recruiting.
The Roadrunners ended the season as the top rebounding team in Division II, leading the nation with a +12.8 rebounding margin, more than a rebound per game better than the second-best team. The team also ranked 10th in scoring defense (54.9) and 27th in lowest opponent field goal percentage (.355). Metro took care of the ball, ranking 18th in fewest turnovers per game (14.3) and 18th in assist/turnover ratio (1.07).
Senior point guard Jasmine Cervantes put together one of the most balanced stat lines in school history and was named honorable mention All-America by the WBCA and Division II Bulletin. She averaged 9.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.1 blocked shots, and recorded the first triple-double in school history on Dec. 3 against Western New Mexico.
In addition to the success on the floor by the Roadrunners in 2011-12, they posted a 3.33 grade point average, the second-best among Metro State athletics teams. Eight players were named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll (3.5 GPA or higher) during the fall semester and six earned that distinction during the spring semester. Six Roadrunners earned academic all-RMAC honors.
Bratton began her coaching career in 2011-12 with the Roadrunners as a student assistant following her playing career. Her time as a student-athlete was a unique journey. Bratton began her career in 2004-05 at the University of Denver where she started 16 games as a true freshman. She missed the 2005-06 season to give birth to her daughter, Jayna. Bratton then transferred to Metro State where she was named honorable mention all-RMAC East Division two years before deciding to give up her basketball playing career. After taking two more years off, Bratton returned to the court in 2010-11, earning first team all-RMAC honors and all-region honors and leading Metro State to its best season in school history at 30-3 and a trip to the Division II Elite Eight.
She finished her three-year Metro State career with 994 points and 568 rebounds and totaled 1,116 points and 675 rebounds in her four years.
The Arvada, Colo., native graduated from Pomona High School in 2004. Bratton graduated from Metro State in 2012 with her bachelor's degree in management.
