ThunderWolves' bench carries team to victory

CSU-Pueblo 82, Northwest Missouri State 69

DENVER, Colo. - In the face of foul trouble by two CSU-Pueblo starters, the Pack bench teed off on undefeated Northwest Missouri State Friday at the Metro State Thanksgiving Classic, getting 34 points off the bench in a 82-69 win.

One of the ThunderWolves in foul trouble was point guard Rachel Espinoza (Jr., Pueblo, Colo.), and she was relieved admirably by Kendall Babler (So., Rifle, Colo.) who turned in a career day.  Babler led the ThunderWolves with 22 points, a career-high, and nailing two threes and going 6-for-10 from the field.  She also added four assists and five rebounds.

The difference in the game was also largely dependent on the Pack's ability to make things happen in the transition game.  The ThunderWolves forced 21 turnovers by Northwest Missouri State, 10 coming by way of steals.  The Pack also forced the Lady Bearcats to foul, visiting the line 40 times and making 33 free throws, the second-highest single game free throw total in coach Kip Drown's five seasons as head coach.

CSU-Pueblo began the game in a hole, going down 10-3 at the outset.  But the ThunderWolves made up the disadvantage, scoring seven straight points to tie the game at 10.  Then the Pack took control by 13-3 run midway through the first half, turning a 20-18 Northwest Missouri State lead into a 31-23 Pack lead.  The ThunderWolves would not surrender the lead for the remainder of the game.

Also turning in a big day was freshman Katrina Selsor (Fr., Glenwood Springs, Colo.), who was the Pack's best all-around player in the win, recording 17 points, four steals and seven assists.  Her seven rebounds also led the Pack.

CSU-Pueblo will look to go 2-0 at the Metro State Thanksgiving Classic Saturday when they take on Eastern New Mexico at 1 p.m.