CSU-Pueblo 59, Colorado
Mines 54
PUEBLO, Colo. - Over the course of a season, each successful
team has a legitimate highlight moment.
Saturday, Michelle Ambuul
(Sr., Colorado Springs, Colo.), delivered that moment.
In the midst of potential shot clock violation situation, faked
a drive into paint, stepped back, and drilled a lazer of a
three-pointer with 27 seconds left, giving the Pack a clinching
57-52 lead over Colorado School of Mines, enabling the Pack's 59-54
win over the Orediggers.
"That's one of the prettiest three-pointers I've seen," Pack
coach Kip Drown said. "It was great to see Michelle come
through in a big situation like that."
Ambuul's three capped a game in which the ThunderWolves overcame
poor shooting from the field and a lack of control on the
glass. The Pack was out-rebounded 46-32 and were the victim
of eight blocks. Mines also shot a paltry 36.8 percent from
the field, but dwarfed the Pack's output of an even 30 percent.
The Pack's shooting percentage was the lowest since Jan. 29,
2005 when they shot .254 against UC-Colorado Springs.
Remarkably, the Pack somehow grinded out a win in that game
too. And the way they did, just as they did Saturday vs.
Mines, was by drawing fouls and making their opponent pay for it
with excellent shooting from the charity stripe.
The Pack was 23-for-29 from the line, led by Rachel Espinoza
(So., Pueblo, Colo.), who was 12-for-13 from the line,
matching her career high with 23 points, also a game high.
Her 12 free throws was also a career high.
The ThunderWolves' win breaks their season-long three-game
losing streak and elevates their mark to 9-4 overall and 3-2 in
conference play. The Pack will return to the hardwood to open
a four-game road swing next Friday when they travel to Denver to
take on Metro State.
