CSU Women's Basketball Preview Vs. Nevada - NOCO5 – News, Weather, and Sports for Northern Colorado

CSU Women's Basketball Preview Vs. Nevada

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By: Nic Hallisey

Colorado State (10-18, 6-9 MW) plays its final regular season game at Nevada (7-21, 2-13) on Saturday. Tipoff vs. the Wolf Pack is scheduled for 5 p.m. MST.

With the No. 6 seed in the tournament already decided, the Rams will look to gain some momentum heading into Las Vegas with a win over the Wolf Pack. Nevada has two victories in league play: Air Force on Jan. 9 (67-54) and Fresno State on Feb. 20 (60-54).

The game will be broadcast live on AM 1410 KIIX. Matt Wozniak, now in his fourth season with the Rams, calls all the action. Live game video will also be available for all non-televised home contests via Rams All-Access subscription on CSURams.com, and for the first time, fans will be able to listen to every Rams' game for free on Rams All-Access.

Scouting Report on Nevada

• The Wolf Pack are led by Danika Sharp and Chanelle Brennan averaging 13.4 and 13.3 points, respectively. Defensively, Emily Burns pulls down an average of 6.7 rebounds per game.
• Nevada is near the bottom of the pack in nearly all statistical categories in conference play, except for blocks, steals and offensive rebounds. The Wolfpack average 3.9 denials (third), 8.6 steals (fourth) and 14.6 o-boards per matchup (second).
• Despite 15 points from Sharp and 11 added by Mimi Mungedi, UNR shot just 25.9 percent from the field to New Mexico's 50.0 percent at the Pit on Wednesday. The Wolf Pack fell to the lobos 66-43.
• Nevada is assured an 8 or 9 seed in the MW tournament and will play Air Force in the play-in game on Tuesday. The winner will advance to play No. 1 seeded San Diego State in the quarterfinals.

Series vs. the Wolf Pack

• Saturday's meeting between Colorado State and Nevada will be the sixth game between the two schools.
• The Rams are 4-1 vs. the Wolf Pack overall with a 2-1 record in Reno.
• This is Head Coach Ryun Williams second contest vs. Nevada, with a 1-0 record in his career. Until this season, Williams had never played against any team in the MW, aside from CSU.

A win will...

• Close out the team's regular-season record at 11-18 overall and 7-9 in league play, the third consecutive season CSU has had at least seven wins in the MW.
• Give CSU its third road win of the season and its third in MW play. The Rams haven't won more than two games away from Moby in league play since 2002.
• Improve the Rams' record against the Wolf Pack to 5-1 all-time and 3-1 in Reno.
• Extend a series win streak over the UNR to five straight games. The Rams last played Nevada in Reno on Nov. 18, 2000, winning 70-48.

Last time vs. Nevada (Feb. 6)
A late surge by Nevada was denied by Colorado State's accuracy from the free-throw line. CSU won, 59-50, over Nevada on at Moby Arena.

Colorado State (7-14, 3-5 MW) exchanged baskets with the Wolf Pack (6-15, 1-7 MW) at the beginning of the game until the Rams went on a 15-4 run with 6:30 left on the clock in the first half, claiming the lead until the end of the game.

In the first half, Colorado State shot a .414 field-goal percentage. In the second half of the game, the Rams field-goal percentage dropped significantly, shooting .261. CSU gutted out the second half of the game, playing strong defense to help obtain the victory.

Senior Meghan Heimstra tallied nine points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and four steals. With 11 rebounds, Heimstra has now surpassed the 600 career-rebound mark. She recorded a career-high seven offensive rebounds.

Freshman Caitlin Duffy led the Rams with 17 points, four assists, four steals and a block. Duffy recorded a career high in steals, playing all 40 minutes of the game. The freshman guard also recorded a career-high 10 free-throws made.

With her seven rebounds on the night, junior Sam Martin is now the fifth player in CSU history to record 1000 points and 500 rebounds in their junior season. Martin finished with seven points, seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal.

Junior Alicia Nichols tallied 11 points coming off the bench, tying her career-high. Nichols also added two assists and two rebounds. Junior Hayley Thompson also played all 40 minutes of the game, recording nine points, seven boards, two assists and three steals.

Up Next
Colorado State will open the Reese's Mountain West Basketball tournament as the No. 6 seed challenging Wyoming (23-6, 12-4) in the quarterfinal round on March 14. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. MT.