Abilene Christian 72, CSU-Pueblo 60

CSU-Pueblo ran into an Abilene Christian team on a mission Sunday as the Wildcats shot 60 percent from the field and played near-perfect basketball as the ThunderWolves fell 72-60 in the final game of the 2009-10 Chuck Stephens Classic.

The ThunderWolves encountered a very different Abilene Christian team than the one that shot 31 percent in losing to Regis Saturday.  The Wildcats' 60 percent field goal percentage dwarfed the ThunderWolves' paltry 30.9 percent accuracy from the field, but despite the discrepany, Abilene Christian didn't pull away from the Pack until the final minutes.

The ThunderWolves relied on a tough transition game to keep close throughout the second half.  CSU-Pueblo forced 20 turnovers, 15 coming in the second half alone, as the Pack got as close as 56-54 with 6:46 remaining.  But the Pack couldn't stop the Wildcats' lights out shooting, as Abilene Christian went on 15-4 run to close out the game and claim the 12-point win.

CSU-Pueblo did keep up with the Wildcats for much of the first half, shooting about 50 percent from the field for the bulk of the half.  But Abilene Christian went on an 11-4 run, banking in the combination of point guard Kat Kundmueller and Jamie Meyer, which put together seven assists and 16 points in the first half, respectively.  Kundmueller finished with 10 assists while Meyer, who was colder in the second half, finished with 18.  Sister Jody Meyer, however, went off as the Pack rolled its coverage to Jamie, going for 20 points and 11 rebounds.  Both Meyers earned all-tournament honors.

CSU-Pueblo was led by Rachel Espinoza (Jr., Pueblo, Colo.), who recorded 15 points, and Caitlyn Jewell (Sr., Pagosa Springs, Colo.), who had 13 points.  Both earned all-tournament honors.

CSU-Pueblo will continue RMAC play next weekend when they travel to Colorado Mines and Colorado Christian Friday and Saturday nights.