T-Wolves slip past Bearcats

PUEBLO, Colo. -- The Colorado State University-Pueblo women’s basketball team overcame a slow start and rough shooting performance to record a 66-58 victory over the Willamette (OR) University Bearcats on Friday night.  Michelle Ambul (Sr., Colorado Springs, Colo.) led the Pack with 21 points and nine rebounds, and Kip Drown’s team dug in all evening on defense to deny a pesky Willamette squad.

The Pack shot a meager 26 percent in the first half, and limped to a one-point halftime lead, thanks mostly to a 6-0 run near the end of the period.  Ambul stood out on offense in the first half, but little else sparkled for the ThunderWolves.

In the second half, the Pack was more active on both ends of the court, creating turnovers, spotting passing lanes more effectively and making quicker cuts to the basket.

Mary Rehfeld (Sr., Juneau, Alaska), honored before the game for her stellar play in seasons past, equalled her career high with nine rebounds, but was held to 10 points on three of nine shooting.  Catilyn Jewell (Jr., Pagosa Springs, Colo.) helped offset the ThunderWolves’ problems on offense in the first half by contributing eight points, and she also helped dictate play in the paint throughout the game.  Ambul, though, was far and away the Pack’s best offensive threat, and her 21 points came one short of a career high.

The ThunderWolves also benefitted from a distinct advantage from the free throw line.  The Pack went 23-33 from the stripe, whereas the Bearcats shot 2-3 on free throws.

That proved to be pivotal down the stretch, as the ThunderWolves consistently went inside and were rewarded with easy points from the free throw line.  The women also locked things down defensively in the closing stages of the game -- a fact not lost on Coach Kip Drown.

“They shot it well, and in those last three or four minutes we tried not to let them have any looks,” he said.  He also addressed his team’s offensive struggles by saying, “We didn’t shoot the ball very well.  After a while, it’s like, ‘Hey, let’s settle in here,’ but we never got any rhythm.”

The Pack will be back in action tomorrow evening against the Cameron University Aggies.  Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. at Massari Arena.