Jewell keys Pack's win over Lewis

By Jeff Letofsky, Pueblo Chieftain

DENVER — Caitlyn Jewell had scored a dozen points in three games this season.

Friday in the first round of the Metro State Thanksgiving Classic at the Auraria Events Center, the junior from Colorado State University-Pueblo poured in 18 points to lead the ThunderWolves to a 61-56 victory over Lewis (Ill.) University.

Jewell, a two-sport athlete at CSU-Pueblo who doubles in volleyball, came off the bench in the first half and eclipsed her career high in just 2 minutes. The 6-foot-2 junior entered the game with 11:20 remaining in the half and the Pack trailing 15-13.

She then went off.

Jewell tallied 11 of CSU-Pueblo's next 12 points as the T-Wolves used a 12-2 run to erect a 25-17 advantage. When Michelle Ambuul converted a layin off an assist from Shandryn Trumble, the Pack had its largest lead of the game at 27-17.

"I'm really starting to get into the zone being able to play," said Jewell, whose previous career-high was nine points. "It felt really good to help my team. I love the pressure and I know I can do it. I'm starting to get my game sense, my court sense back."

The win improved CSU-Pueblo's early-season record to 3-1 and extended its winning streak to three games after it opened the season with a loss at Montana State-Billings. The Flyers, members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, are now 3-3 and had their three-game winning streak snapped.

Jenny Turpel had 18 points and Devon Carbaugh 12 for Lewis.

Jewell's emergence comes at a good time since CSU-Pueblo has lost its top two post players to injury this season.

Sarah Staggs, who had a breakout season as a sophomore and was an all-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference selection, has yet to play this season with an undisclosed injury. And senior Danielle Pritchett injured a knee in the home opener last weekend. The status of both players and their return is yet undermined.

That's what makes Jewell's breakout performance so important.

"I thought Cait did a nice job. She had some good minutes," CSU-Pueblo head coach Kip Drown said. "With the injuries we've had, we're sort of looking for somebody in that spot. That five spot had kind of been the variable in our lineup. Caitlyn stepped up and did a good job."

Jewell had 13 points at the half when CSU-Pueblo built a 36-29 cushion. She scored five in the second half when the T-Wolves kept Lewis at bay. The Flyers pulled to within three points on four occasions but couldn't get closer.

"(Lewis) did a good job on the glass in the second half. That kept them in the basketball game," Drown said. "I was really pleased in the first half. I was pleased at halftime but we were never able to get it back. The things we did the first half was what we've been working on all week in practice. That was moving without the basketball, finding the open person and taking care of the basketball."

CSU-Pueblo had only five turnovers in the first 20 minutes but committed 12 in the second half to finish with 17.

Ambuul was the only other T-Wolf to finish in double figures with 13. Amanda Bartlett also came off the bench and contributed four big points on two buckets inside of the final three minutes.

Mary Rehfeld and Ambuul led the Pack on the backboards with nine rebounds apiece.

Jewell hit seven of 12 field-goal attempts and made four free throws in five attempts.

CSU-Pueblo had its best shooting game of the season at 48 percent, making 25 of 52. Lewis shot 34.4 percent on 21 of 61.

PACK POINTERS: The Pack wraps up its stay in the Metro State Thanksgiving Classic with another 1 p.m. game today against Quincy (Ill.). The Lady Hawks, who also are members of the GLVC, are 5-0 and Monday broke a school record for 3-pointers in a game with 18. They have scored over 100 points three times this season. . .Senior Shandryn Trumble made her first start Friday.. . .The T-Wolves had 24 bench points.