LAS VEGAS, N.M. (December 11, 2015) – The Colorado State University-Pueblo University women's basketball team smashed New Mexico Highlands University 79-55 for the eighth consecutive win. The Pack has won each of their last five games by 19 or more points.

CSU-Pueblo improved to 8-1 (3-0 RMAC) with the win and holds the top spot in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Highlands plummeted to 2-6 (0-3 RMAC).

The Pack did much of its damage from beyond the arc, making eight of their 16 attempts from downtown. CSU-Pueblo also drained 17 of their 20 free throws (85.0 percent).

Tuileisu Anderson (So., Vancouver, Wash.) sparked the Pack's offense with 18 points. Anderson averaged 17.5 points per game during the Pack's New Mexico trip.

She added another four steals in the win. Anderson leads the RMAC with 3.4 steals per game.

Coming off the bench, Mariana Lambert (Sr., Jundiai, Brazil) delivered an efficient performance. Lambert matched her career-best with 14 points, shooting 4-for-5 from the field. The Brazilian also drained both of her attempts from 3-point land and all four of her free throws.

The Pack defense controlled the first quarter as CSU-Pueblo came away with eight steals and forced 14 turnovers in the opening frame. Anderson, Ashley Piper (Sr. Cedar Rapids, Iowa), and Dee Arrieta  (Sr., Pueblo West, Colo.) all had two takeaways in the first quarter. 

Lauren Heyn (Fr. Loomis, Calif.) helped the Pack get on the board with six points in quarter one. Heyn's six points and the Pack's smothering defense helped CSU-Pueblo build an 18-9 lead after one.

Lambert erupted in the second quarter, tacking on seven of her 14 points. Molly Rohrer (Fr. Greenwood Village, Colo.) swatted a pair of Cowgirl attempts as the Pack carried a 37-22 lead into the break. Rohrer entered the night tied for the RMAC lead in total blocks with 16 rejections.

The Pack offense came out of the break on fire. CSU-Pueblo sank eight of its 13 attempts (61.5 percent) in the third to push their lead to 58-41 after three. 

Anderson caught fire in the fourth, adding 10 points in the final frame. She finished the night 5-for-5 from the charity stripe. As a team, the Pack shot 62.5 percent (15-for24) in the second half. 

Maddie Beagley (Jr., Russell, Kan.) scored a career-best seven points. Beagley made all three of her attempts from the field. The Iowa Western Community College transfer drained her first 3-pointer with the Pack.

The ThunderWolves return to Massari Arena Dec. 18-19 when they host Fort Lewis College and Adams State University. Both games begin at 5:30 p.m.

Pack Athletics will be hosting a toy drive during these home games. Fans who bring a toy to Massari Arena Dec.18-19 will receive free admission to both men's and women's basketball games that day.

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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.