The lady Roadrunners earned their first win of the season Nov 16. at the Auraria Event Center by defeating Colorado Christian University  81-63.

The Runners played their most complete game of the short season and displayed the grit, patience and shooting that was routine last season.  Amy Nelson and Tai Jensen imposed their will inside offensively.  They combined for 22 points and 16 rebounds while shooting 9-of-15 from the field.  Metro State out rebounded the Cougars  36-30.

Amy Nelson Fade Away

Photo by Cosme Lindstrom-Furutani

The patience came from methodically dismantling the CCU full court press — a press that forced 31 turnovers the first night of the Holiday Inn Select Classic.  MSU not only won the turnover battle 16-21 but regularly scored against the Cougar press by getting the ball in the middle of it and patiently matriculating the ball up the court.

The largest difference from the first two games for the Runners was the shooting.  At different points, the ladies had won on the glass or been more disciplined than opponents but this was the first game that MSU shot better than an opponent.  They shot 45 percent on the night and limited CCU to 38 percent.

The Point

Cassie Lambrecht and Kya DeGarmo are charged with the task of trying to replace the 9 points, 7 rebounds 5 assists averages that Jasmine Cervantes left void when she graduated.   The rebounds will be tough considering Cervantes’ 5’8 stature shadows Lambrect–5’5 and DeGarmo–5’3 but the scoring and assists have to be on par with Cervantes’ efforts last season.  While getting acclimated, the duo has been inconsistent but expect them to get better.

Metro State @ Missouri Western State University   Loss 55-66 

Lambrech & DeGarmo  8-20 FG   21pts, 3 ast, 3 reb and 4 to’s

Lubbock Christian University @ Metro State   Loss 63-81

Lambrecht & DeGarmo  2-10 FG   5pts, 1 ast, 1 reb and 2 to’s

Colorado Christian @ Metro State   Win 73-61

Lambrecht & DeGarmo 3-11 FG   9pts, 3 ast, 2 reb and 5 to’s

Best Wishes

With less than 3 minutes to play, CCU guard and NCAA Division II Bulletin Super 16 selection, Christina Whitelaw, was carted off the court.  The Event Center remained silent until paramedics were able to stabilized her neck and back.  Whitelaw was having a relatively pedestrian night (16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 steals) compared to last season when she averaged 26 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals in two games against MSU.