LUBBOCK, Texas (Nov. 9, 2018) - The Colorado State University-Pueblo women's basketball team posted a 77-68 overtime victory in the season opener Friday against Texas A&M University-Commerce in Lubbock, Texas at the TAJ Hospitality Classic, hosted by Lubbock Christian University.

In her first game as a member of the ThunderWolves, sophomore Sydni Williams (F/C, Little Rock, Ark.) posted 25 points on 9-of-11 (81.8%) shooting from the field and a perfect 7-for-7 effort from the free throw line. She added seven rebounds and two assists. Fellow newcomer, freshman JaNaiya Davis (G, Hewitt, Texas) added 14 points and a team-high nine rebounds.

The three returners that played all scored in double-figures. Both senior Lauren Heyn (F, Penryn, Calif.) and junior Khiya Adams (G/F, Falcon, Colo.) scored 12 points. Adams added five rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in 40 minutes of work, while Heyn pitched in two rebounds and one block, steal and assist. 

Senior Jennah Knafelc (G, Highlands Ranch, Colo.) also played 40 minutes and scored 10 points, dished out four assists, brought down three rebounds and posted two steals. 

As a team the ThunderWolves shot 50.8 percent from the field and went 15-for-17 (88.2%) from the charity stripe. The Pack outrebounded the Lions 31-27 and recorded more assists with a 17-9 advantage. 

The Pack held Texas A&M-Commerce to 39 percent shooting for the game, which included a 17.6 percent (3-for-17) effort from 3-point range. CSU-Pueblo recorded 18 points off of 20 Lion turnovers. 

The game was tied on 28 occasions, while the lead changed 11 times. The majority of the Pack's 22:15 of game time in the lead came in the first half and then in overtime. TAMUC owned the lead for 11:40, while the contest was tied for 11:06. 

Both teams stayed within two possessions of each other during the first half. With 7:01 showing on the clock in the third quarter the Pack were leading by seven, 37-30 on a put-back jumper by Davis. The Lions responded and posted a 12-2 run during the next three minutes of game time to take a 42-39 lead. With 1:26 left in the frame, the game was knotted at 45-45 following a pair of Williams free throws. TAMUC scored the final three points of the quarter and led 48-45 heading to the fourth.

Texas A&M-Commerce owned its largest lead of the game at five, 52-47 with 8:22 left in regulation, but the ThunderWolves would battle back and tie the game 53-53 with 6:31 showing on the clock. Down two, 57-55 with 2:24 left the Pack went on a 4-0 run with a Williams layup, then a quick steal and fast-break layup by Knafelc to give them the lead. 

The Lions responded to tie the game, but a Williams offensive rebound and put-back with 1:23 left handed the Pack a 61-59 advantage. TAMUC again immediately responded and the game was tied 61-61. Both teams failed to convert on their final possessions and the contest went to overtime. 

Both teams scored in the opening minute of the extra session to sit tied 63-63. Two made free throws by junior Naomi Torgerson (G, Anoka, Minn.) put the Pack back up, then with 3:06 left the Lions hit one of two from the line and the CSU-Pueblo lead was 65-64. On the next possession, Williams knocked down a jumper and started a 12-2 run for the ThunderWolves, taking the clock down to 11 seconds and giving the Pack their largest lead of the game, 77-66. The Lions would hit their last shot, but it was already over, as CSU-Pueblo took home the victory, 77-68. 

Next, the Pack will play host and No. 10 Lubbock Christian Saturday beginning at 6 p.m. MT. 

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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