PUEBLO, Colo. - Returning from a grueling opening weekend on the road, the Colorado State University Pueblo ThunderWolves step into their home arena with renewed purpose and a chance to define their early-season identity. Head coach Tommie Johnson and the Pack will host two nationally ranked opponents — No. 20 UT Tyler and No. 13 Lubbock Christian University — in this year's South Central Regional Crossover, one of the most competitive Division II showcases of the fall.

While the Pack's 1–2 record doesn't reflect the heart they showed in Billings, their performance at the Trailhead Tipoff Classic made one thing vividly clear: CSU Pueblo's backcourt is elite. Seniors Seneya Martinez and Genesis Sweetwine were both named to the D2 Tipoff Classic All-Tournament Team, and together, they provided the ThunderWolves with a consistent scoring engine capable of taking over games. Martinez has looked every bit the veteran leader, scoring efficiently at all three levels while averaging 17.0 points per outing. Sweetwine, meanwhile, showed a confident shooting stroke from beyond the arc and delivered timely, poised scoring throughout the weekend.

Around their dynamic duo, the Pack showed glimpses of the depth and identity Johnson believes this group is ready to embrace. Wynter Jones, with her fearless downhill attacks, lived at the free-throw line and battled inside for rebounds. Dasani Nesbit emerged as a quiet but crucial two-way presence, particularly on the defensive side, while Laci Roffle and Ruby Sweeney-Spitzeck added toughness and rebounding that will be vital against the caliber of post play coming to Pueblo this weekend. Even in the face of tough rebounding deficits, the ThunderWolves showed resilience, picking up multiple possessions through hustle plays, forcing turnovers, and proving they can generate pressure on both ends of the floor.

Still, improvement areas have been clear and vocal points of emphasis throughout the week — namely, winning more 50/50 plays, finishing possessions on the glass, and reducing scoring droughts. For a team with as much talent as the Pack have on the perimeter, limiting opponent runs will be essential as they prepare to face two of the country's most fundamentally disciplined programs.

And those programs come to Massari Arena with championship pedigree.

UT Tyler: A Nationally Ranked Team Rebuilt by a Proven Winner

Friday at 1:00 PM – Massari Arena

Friday afternoon brings in No. 20 UT Tyler, a team that has risen sharply on the national stage under head coach Rebecca Alvidrez. When she took over before the 2021–22 season, the Patriots were coming off a stretch of just three total wins across two years. Since then, Alvidrez has engineered one of the most impressive program transformations in Division II basketball. Her past four seasons have produced 98 wins, three straight NCAA Regional appearances, and a 24–5 record last year that solidified UT Tyler among the Lone Star Conference's elite.

Her current squad looks every bit the continuation of that climb. The Patriots defend with intensity, discipline, and aggression, already collecting 33 steals in their first three games and pushing opponents far out of their offensive comfort zones. Their defense is anchored by Mileina Sablinskaite, the reigning LSC Defensive Player of the Week, who began her year with 10 defensive rebounds against Colorado School of Mines and added 14 boards across the weekend — all on the defensive glass. Her presence forces opponents into tough decisions at the rim, and her efficiency on the offensive end has given UT Tyler a reliable interior option.

Offensively, the Patriots use a balanced guard rotation, led by Polina Latysheva and Mariah Neal, both capable of shooting from deep and creating their own looks. Despite their modest scoring totals, UT Tyler's pace and spacing make them difficult to guard for four quarters. If they control the tempo, they grind out games; if they get into transition, their offense opens quickly.

Yet, the Patriots' greatest challenge has been ball security. Turnovers have mounted early, averaging nearly 19 per game — a vulnerability that directly intersects with a CSU Pueblo team that thrives on forcing mistakes. As Alvidrez's Patriots make their trip to Pueblo, the matchup sets up as a battle of defensive pressure, poise, and toughness from tip to buzzer.

Lubbock Christian: A Dynasty Arrives in Pueblo Behind a Hall-of-Fame Mind

Sunday at 1:00 PM – Massari Arena

Sunday afternoon delivers a different kind of test — and a different kind of history.

No. 13 Lubbock Christian University enters Massari Arena under the guidance of Steve Gomez, one of the most decorated coaches in NCAA Division II women's basketball. In his 23rd season leading the Lady Chaps, Gomez carries a staggering 548–157 (.777) career record and a dominant 27–5 mark in NCAA postseason play. His program has captured three national championships, reached five Elite Eights, won nine conference titles, and produced two undefeated seasons — the kind of résumé rarely seen at any level.

Gomez's influence extends far beyond Lubbock. Just months ago, he served as head coach of the USA Basketball U16 Women's National Team, guiding Team USA to a FIBA U16 AmeriCup Gold Medal in Mexico. His reputation for developing talent, crafting disciplined systems, and building championship-caliber teams makes him one of the most respected tacticians in the sport.

Last season, Gomez's Lady Chaps went 32–5, shared the Lone Star Conference regular-season title, and captured the South Central Regional Championship on the road, punching their ticket to the Elite Eight yet again.

And this year's team looks just as formidable.

Freshman guard Meg Meekins electrified the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic, earning Tournament MVP honors after averaging 17.5 points and hitting 46.2% from three in just her first collegiate weekend. Her clutch play late in both games showed a level of composure that belies her experience, and she enters Pueblo as one of the most explosive young guards in the region.

Alongside her, junior Kennedy Chappell — the lone returning starter — delivered an All-Tournament performance of her own. Her career-high 21 points and seven assists against Missouri Western, combined with her leadership and ability to draw contact, make her the heartbeat of this LCU offense. Together, Meekins and Chappell form a balanced attack that spaces the floor, moves the ball, and punishes defensive lapses.

Behind them, a proven supporting cast plays with the precision and decision-making that have become trademarks of Gomez's coaching. LCU's offense has been both efficient and explosive, averaging 74 points through two games while knocking down 19 three-pointers. Their disciplined rotations and commitment to taking high-quality shots make them one of the toughest teams in the country to game-plan for.

The Weekend Ahead: A Homecoming, a Test, and a Defining Opportunity

For CSU Pueblo, this weekend is about more than matchups and rankings. It's about identity. It's about showing progress after a hard-opening stretch. It's about the seniors leading, the newcomers blending in, and Massari Arena becoming the energy source that lifts this team to a new level.

Martinez and Sweetwine have already proven they can anchor this team. Now, the Pack look to win the rebounding battles, minimize scoring droughts, and play with the grit and composure that Johnson has instilled since the start of the season.

Two nationally ranked teams await. Two programs with championship histories step into Pueblo. And the ThunderWolves — with a home crowd behind them — have a chance to make their own early-season statement.