Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
7-9 (1-4MWC)
TCU
10-6 (4-1MWC)
Rams Unable To Keep Pace With Lady Frogs
1/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 21, 2006
The Colorado State University women's basketball fell to 7-9 (1-4 MWC) on the season with a 73-63 loss to the TCU Lady Frogs (10-6, 4-1 MWC) Saturday afternoon at Moby Arena. The game was closely contested as the Rams and Lady Frogs exchanged the lead 11 times and had nine ties throughout the course of the game. The TCU lead did not reach double-figures until the 3:42 mark of the second half when the Lady Frogs were in the midst of an 8-2 run that allowed them to pull away from Colorado State.
The Rams outshot the Lady Frogs 45.5 percent to 36.5 percent. The Rams also posted a 40 percent (6-for-15) shooting performance from beyond the arc compared with 18.2 percent (4-for-22) on treys by TCU. The differences in the game, however, were found on the offensive glass and in the turnover column. The Rams allowed TCU to collect 25 offensive boards and convert those second chances into 25 points. The conference newcomers also forced 21 Ram turnovers and scored an additional 25 points to capitalize on those mistakes.
The first half of the game was a very close battle, as neither team was able to capture a lead of more than four points. Behind strong play from a number of players coming off of the bench, Colorado State went into the locker room trailing by just two, 33-31. In that opening period, the Rams' bench exploded for 18 of the teams 31 points, including nine points from Molly Nohr, six from Marilyn Moulton and a three pointer by Liz Kramer.
The Rams' three seniors, Melissa Dennett, Vanessa Espinoza and Lindsay Thomas were held in check for the majority of that first half, combining for six points. However, the second half was a different story.
The Rams jumped out to a three point lead, 36-33 a minute and a half into the period, but TCU did not go away, regaining the lead, 49-40 with 12 minutes remaining in the contest. That is when the Rams' big three picked up the slack. Thomas and Dennett combined to score 21 of the teams final 23 points of the game. It was not enough, however, as the Rams would never again regain the lead.
Dennett, who was coming off of a career-high tying 28 points against UNLV, again led the Rams, finishing with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Espinoza posted 10 points, all in the second half, and Thomas notched seven points and five rebounds. Sophomore Sara Hunter also had a solid game for the Rams with eight points and six rebounds. Nohr and Moulton both scored nine points.
The Rams will look to get back on the winning track when they head to Laramie, Wyo. for first-year head coach Jen Warden's first taste of the "Border War" on Wednesday, Jan. 25. That game between the Rams and Cowgirls is set to tip at 7 p.m. from the Arena Auditorium.
