PUEBLO, Colo. - Colorado State University Pueblo women's basketball closed out the South Central Region Crossover on Sunday afternoon with a 61–42 loss to No. 13 Lubbock Christian University inside Massari Arena. The matchup offered the ThunderWolves a true early-season benchmark against one of Division II's most polished programs, and while the Pack showed stretches of strong play, LCU's efficiency and defensive discipline ultimately proved the difference.
Lubbock Christian wasted no time establishing control, shooting over 72 percent in the first quarter and capitalizing on CSU Pueblo turnovers to build a 21–9 lead. The Pack, though, steadied themselves in the second period. With better spacing and patience in the half court, CSU Pueblo began to find offensive rhythm. Genesis Sweetwine attacked downhill for key baskets, Destiny Smith converted in the paint, and Anyla Owens buried a confident three to help swing momentum back toward the home side. On the defensive end, the Pack tightened their rotations, forced the Lady Chaps into mistakes, and held them in check long enough to trim the deficit to 34–23 heading into halftime.
But as the third quarter opened, LCU reasserted control. The Lady Chaps' half-court precision resurfaced, and their length and pressure made shot creation difficult for CSU Pueblo. The Pack managed only four points in the frame while LCU once again found its offensive rhythm, stretching the lead to 55–27 going into the fourth. It was the pivotal swing that put the Pack too far behind to recover.
Still, the ThunderWolves refused to let the game slip quietly away. CSU Pueblo pieced together one of its strongest stretches in the final period, igniting a 10–0 run that highlighted the group's toughness. Sweetwine continued to push the offense with assertiveness, Seneya Martinez connected on her second three of the afternoon, and Owens added efficient scoring off the bench. Defensively, the energy climbed as Laci Roffle disrupted passing lanes and hauled down six rebounds, while Dasani Nesbit contributed solid ball movement and activity.
While the Pack shot just 28 percent from the field, they forced 18 turnovers and showed glimpses of the team they can evolve into as the season progresses. Martinez finished with 12 points to pace CSU Pueblo, Sweetwine added 10 along with active defense, and Owens contributed six points in limited minutes. LCU countered with a balanced scoring effort, led by Martie McCoy's 16 points and the steady interior presence of Kennedy Chappell.
Though the final score leaned toward the nationally ranked Lady Chaps, the ThunderWolves gained valuable early-season experience and a clearer sense of the execution needed against top-tier competition. Now at 1–4, CSU Pueblo turns its attention to the remainder of nonconference play, carrying forward the lessons and growth from a challenging but productive weekend inside Massari Arena.
