Ambuul, Espinoza dominant in win over Adams
ALAMOSA, Colo. - Following Friday's disheartening loss at No. 2 Fort Lewis, the Pack needed a big night against Adams State Saturday to help right the ship. Thanks to Michelle Ambuul (Sr., Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Rachel Espinoza (So., Pueblo, Colo.), the ThunderWolves got just that.
Ambuul turned in her first career double-double with a 17-point, 14-rebound performance, and Espinoza shattered her career high with a 31-point performance as the Pack scored the season sweep on Adams State with an 86-74 win.
The win keeps the ThunderWolves (15-8, 9-6 RMAC) in the hunt for a home playoff game in the RMAC Tournament.
CSU-Pueblo never trailed the Grizzlies as the Pack was looking to avoid a rehash of its down performance in a 47-46 win over Adams State at Massari Arena on Jan. 30. The Pack had its highest offensive output of the season, scoring 86 points, despite only shooting 36 percent from the field, compared with a 50 percent clip by the Grizzlies.
The difference - tenacious defense and lights-out foul shooting
CSU-Pueblo turned in its highest rebound total of the season, taking down 46 boards to just 33 by Adams State. The Pack also forced 15 turnovers, taking eight by way of steals, led by four thefts by Jonnie Draper (Sr., Littleton, Colo.).
At the line, the Pack turned in one of its all-time best performances. The Pack was an epic 34-for-37 from the line, as Espinoza and Mary Rehfeld (Sr., Juneau, Alaska) were perfect from the charity stripe, going 13-for-13 and 10-for-10 from the line, respectively.
The win allows the Pack to salvage a split on the weekend and helping solidify the Pack's postseason prospects as CSU-Pueblo heads back to Pueblo to finish the regular season on a four-game home stand. The homestand begins Tuesday when the Pack hosts New Mexico Highlands.
