ThunderWolves' late run cements win over Central State

CSU-Pueblo 63, Central State 49

CSU-Pueblo used a late surge to upend the visiting Central State Marauders 63-49 at the Pack's opener at the 11th annual Chuck Stephens Classic, hosted at CSU-Pueblo's Massari Arena.

Thanks to a monster night by Rachel Espinoza (Jr., Pueblo, Colo.), who tossed in a season-high 27 points, 13 of which coming in the final five minutes, the Pack went on a 12-2 run to close out the game.  Prior to the Pack's late surge, CSU-Pueblo was unable to build anything larger than a 7-point lead against Central State's pesky defense.

Caitlyn Jewell (Sr., Pagosa Springs, Colo.) also came on big for the Pack, earning her first career double-double with a 16-point, 14-rebound performance.  Jewell's 14 boards were also a career high.  She nearly recorded a double-double in the second half alone, going for 10 points and nine boards in the second half.

CSU-Pueblo started off slow against the tough defense of the Marauders, trailing for the latter portion of the second half due to missed shots and untimely turnovers before assuming the halftime edge.  Aside from Espinoza, which led all scorers 13 points in the first half, the Pack starting five only recorded 12 points and was 3-for-18 from the field.  The Pack remedied that in the second half, as the ThunderWolf starters shot 12-for-26 as they pulled away from the Marauders. 

CSU-Pueblo's win lifts their 2009-10 mark to 7-3 and marks their third straight win at the Chuck Stephens Classic.  The Pack will try to make it four Sunday when they take on Abilene Christian.