PUEBLO, Colo. (December 5, 2014) – The Colorado State University-Pueblo women's basketball team opened the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference portion of its schedule on a high note, riding a strong defensive performance en route to a 61-46 victory over the visiting Adams State University Grizzlies at Massari Arena. Katie Nehf (Sr., Broomfield, Colo.) led the way for the ThunderWolves, recording the ninth double-double of her career on game-highs in both points (20) and rebounds (14). Nehf also added a CSU-Pueblo single-game program record seven blocks to go along with five assists and three steals.
With the victory, CSU-Pueblo improves to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in RMAC play. The Pack have now won six consecutive conference lid-lifters and improve to 9-1 under head coach Kip Drown in RMAC openers. The ThunderWolves also extend their winning streak against the Grizzlies to seven straight and up their overall mark to 47-27 all-time versus Adams State.
Adams State remains winless on the season, dropping to 0-5 overall and 0-1 in RMAC tilts. The Grizzlies are now just 10-27 all-time in Pueblo.
The Pack struggled on the offensive end of the floor, but their defense made up for it, holding Adams State to 25.4 percent (17-of-67) shooting, including an 18.9 percent (7-of-37) mark from behind the three-point line. CSU-Pueblo recorded a season-high 53 rebounds and seven blocks, while recording nine steals and forcing 14 Grizzlies' turnovers.
Emily Dungey (Sr., Lake Oswego, Ore.) scored a career-high 11 points for the ThunderWolves on an efficient 3-of-3 from the field, including one three-pointer, and a 4-of-5 night from the charity stripe. Also scoring in double figures for the Pack was Tuileisu Anderson (Fr., Vancouver, Wash.) who also registered a career high with 13 points.
CSU-Pueblo's leading scoring coming into the night, Ashley Piper (Jr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa), was held in check offensively, but the junior did finish the contest with 10 rebounds.
For the Grizzlies, Mariah Gonzales had a team-high eight points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals.
The ThunderWolves came out of the gates strong, holding a 10-3 advantage 3:24 into the contest.
Adams State responded with an 8-0 scoring run to move in front, 11-10, with 4:59 elapsed in the period.
CSU-Pueblo led for the majority of the first half, building a 25-20 lead with just over 5:30 to play in the opening stanza, but the Grizzlies were able to trim the deficit to one, at 29-28, heading into the intermission.
Nehf was a defensive giant in the first 20 minutes of play, recording five of her seven blocks in the period.
Coming out of the break, the ThunderWolves extended their lead to eight, at 40-32, with 13:48 showing on the game clock.
Adams State trimmed the Pack's lead to three, at 42-39 midway through the period, but that was as close as they got the remainder of the contest.
CSU-Pueblo outscored the visitors 19-7 over the final 10 minutes of the game to pull away for the 61-46 victory.
The ThunderWolves remain at home Saturday, hosting Fort Lewis College. The contest is slated to tip at 5:30 p.m. at Massari Arena.
As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
