CSU-Pueblo 88, Western New Mexico 78 (OT)

The ThunderWolves saw a night designed to celebrate the individual accomplishment of Rachel Espinoza's (Jr, Pueblo, Colo.) 1,000th career point nearly blow up in their faces as an overtime surge was needed to best pesky Western New Mexico, 88-78.

The Pack led 41-27 at halftime, which ended on Espinoza getting her 1,000th career point near the close of the half.  But Western New Mexico, playing a full court press for virtually the entire game, slowly bit in to the Pack's advantage in the second half.

The Mustangs annoyed the ThunderWolves into several mistakes and missed shots, and Western New Mexico tied the game at the close of regulation on a layup by Audra Major, sending the game into an extra period tied at 73.

But Espinoza, who was quiet most of the second half, put the Pack on her back in the overtime period.  Using the press to her advantage, she drove up the court to create opportunities for her teammates as well as herself.  She turned a 77-77 game to the ThunderWolves' favor with a three-point play to put the Pack up 80-77.  She put the Mustangs away with a three-pointer, the Pack's only three of the overtime period, as the ThunderWolves went on a 10-0 run to close out the game. 

Espinoza finished the game with 20 points, six assists and five steals.

CSU-Pueblo will end its week early, preparing for an 8-day layoff before hosting Adams State at Massari Arena in a huge game Feb. 12.