Sophomore's career-high 19 points leads Pack to win.

GOODWELL, Okla. (GoThunderWolves.com - Nov. 20, 2010) - CSU-Pueblo hit the ground running Saturday in its season-opening tilt with Oklahoma Panhandle State, claiming a 65-48 win over the Aggies.

Led by a career-best 19 points by sophomore Erica Hicks (So., Lakewood, Colo.) in her first career start, the ThunderWolves turned a tenuous 29-26 halftime lead before the Pack offense opened up.  CSU-Pueblo recovered from a 38 percent shooting performance in the first half to shoot 47 percent in the second.

Hicks was joined on the leaderboard by Amanda Bartlett (Sr., Kiowa, Colo.), who put up 15 points and came through with three steals in the win.

Combined, Bartlett and Hicks were 13-for-24 with 34 points.

Also having a huge game was Kendall Babler (Jr., Rifle, Colo.), who had 11 points and six assists in the win.  The diminutive 5-foot-6 guard even came through with a career-high two blocks.

The game also marked the return to action for all-region guard Rachel Espinoza (Sr., Pueblo, Colo.), who made her first start since her season ended prior to the beginning of the Pack's 2010 postseason.  She had six points and three assists Saturday.

CSU-Pueblo return to Pueblo for its home opener over the Thanksgiving weekend at the Chuck Stephens Classic, hosting Dubuque (IA) Friday at 7 p.m. and nationally-ranked Drury (Mo.) at 7 p.m. Saturday.