By Dalton Ries, GoThunderWolves.com Insider
PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Feb. 23, 2013) - It was "Senior Night" at Massari Arena for the CSU-Pueblo women's basketball team, and they enjoyed the night as they routed the Chadron State College Eagles 62-41 in their last regular season home game. Seniors Laurel Kearsley (Sr., Victor, Idaho), Erica Hicks (Sr., Lakewood, Colo.) and Caiti Forrester (Boulder City, Nev.) were playing what could be the last home game of their career as Thunderwolves.
With the motivation of sending the seniors out on top, the Thunderwolves came out determined and with a defensive intensity they had been lacking in previous games. The Pack were also fresh off of a disappointing upset loss to Black Hills State Friday that severely hurt their chances of hosting a first-round playoff game.
Knowing they had to turn in a strong performance to stay in the chase, the Pack built an early lead with their defense, forcing 15 first half turnovers that led to 15 of the Pack's 29 first half points.
"We had a better tempo offensively tonight, and we forced 15 first half turnovers which allowed us to get out in transition and get some easy baskets," head coach Kip Drown said
Hicks benefitted from the transition offense, leading the Pack offensively in the first half with eight points and four rebounds on her senior night.
"It's a bittersweet feeling," Hicks said of her final home regular season game. "It's sad that it could be my last home game but we won so it felt good. I was amped up it being senior night but once the game started, I took a deep breath and it came easy."
The Eagles were held to just 7-for-28 shooting in the first half, scoring just 15 points as the Pack went in to half with a 29-15 lead.
The second half was much of the same for the Thunderwolves, who began the half on a 12-4 run to widen the already large lead. After the early run, the Eagles seemed defeated but were led by Kattie Ranta, who scored 27 points on the night, to bring the score within 14.
Fortunately for the Pack, that was as close as the Eagles would get in the game as CSU-Pueblo went wire-to-wire in the lead.
"We needed momentum going into the postseason and hopefully we can take this win and use it to generate some more momentum for the playoffs." Drown said
Also staying true to the first half, Hicks continued to lead the Pack, shooting 8-for-15 from the field, finishing with 18 points.
"I just went out there and played, I wasn't thinking about it," Hicks said. "Everyone always says I play better when I just play and that's what I tried to do." Hicks said
"Next weekend we got Metro so I'm hoping we use this momentum to get some revenge from [a loss] earlier this season."
Kearsley also had a solid game, recording 11 points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes while Forrester had six points and two rebounds.
"All three of them are great people," Drown said. "Caiti has fought back from two surgeries and is still graduating on time. Erica has been one of our best shooters and both her and Caiti were on the team when we got our first national tournament win [in 2010]."
"Laurel came to us two years ago but the three of them have 38 wins in their two years together, which is an impressive statement. All three of them are fantastic players and it was my honor to coach them."
CSU-Pueblo will close its regular season on the road next weekend when it takes on Metro Staet and Regis.
