BILLINGS, Mont. (Nov. 7, 2025) - The Colorado State University Pueblo women's basketball team couldn't have scripted a better start to the season. Behind a balanced, fearless performance and a late surge of clutch plays, the ThunderWolves opened the 2025-26 campaign with an impressive 84–80 upset victory over the University of Nebraska-Kearney Friday night at the Division II Tipoff Classic at the Trailhead.
The win marked the beginning of a new era for the Pack — one defined by depth, resilience, and collective effort. Facing a Nebraska-Kearney squad picked fourth in the notoriously strong Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), CSU Pueblo showed poise well beyond its experience level, outlasting a late rally to secure a statement victory in its season debut.
"This was a big test for us right away," Head Coach Tommie Johnson said after the game. "We knew Kearney would challenge us physically and mentally, but our kids competed, they stayed poised, and they found a way to finish. That's what you want to see from a team this early in the year."
Martinez and Sweetwine Power the Pack
In her CSU Pueblo debut, Seneya Martinez wasted no time making an impact. The senior transfer from Appalachian State poured in a game-high 25 points, attacking from all levels of the floor. Martinez connected on 11-of-19 from the field and drained three triples, including a crucial bucket in the final minute that helped seal the win.
Right alongside her was returning senior guard Genesis Sweetwine, who looked every bit the floor general Johnson envisioned in the offseason. Sweetwine added a career-high 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting, knocked down three three-pointers, and hit five of six free throws in key late-game situations. Her command of the offense and calmness under pressure were instrumental as the Pack weathered UNK's comeback attempts.
"Genesis is ready to be that PG1," Johnson said earlier this week. "She's been in the system, she knows the league, and she's leading in all the right ways — and that showed tonight."
Depth, Defense, and a Homecoming
CSU Pueblo's identity under Johnson has always centered around toughness, and this year's group wasted no time proving that point. The ThunderWolves forced 22 turnovers and turned them into 23 points, flying around defensively with energy that set the tone from the start.
Junior Wynter Jones was a spark plug on both ends of the floor, finishing with nine points, eight rebounds, and five steals, showcasing her athleticism and competitive fire in her Pack debut.
For Dasani Nesbit, the night carried a special meaning. The junior forward returned to her home state, playing just a few hours from where she starred at Froid High School in northeastern Montana. Nesbit contributed six points and six rebounds in front of a hometown crowd that cheered loudly for her throughout the night, bringing energy and poise to CSU Pueblo's interior play.
"Dasani was fired up to be back home," Johnson said. "You could see the pride she had playing here tonight. She brought toughness and rebounding — exactly what we needed."
Inside, Laci Roffle provided valuable rim protection, blocking three shots and adding eight points before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. Despite being outrebounded 54–34, the Pack's defensive intensity and effort in transition proved to be the difference as they consistently forced turnovers and converted them into fast-break points.
The Flow of the Game
The ThunderWolves got off to a slow start, trailing 18–16 after the first quarter, but found their rhythm in the second frame. Martinez and Sweetwine sparked a 24-point outburst as the Pack took a 40–33 lead into halftime. Nebraska-Kearney stormed back in the third quarter, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities to briefly reclaim the lead, but CSU Pueblo's bench depth and late-game execution carried the night.
In the closing minutes, the Pack's defensive energy and composure at the free-throw line proved the difference. Martinez's mid-range jumper with 38 seconds left pushed the lead to four, and two free throws from Sweetwine moments later put the game out of reach.
A Promising Start
For a program that lost several key veterans from last season's roster, Friday's performance was an encouraging sign of what's ahead. The ThunderWolves shot 43.5 percent from the field and hit eight three-pointers, showing flashes of offensive versatility that Johnson has emphasized in building this year's team.
"This group is fun," Johnson said. "They play for each other, they stay composed, and they're not afraid of big moments. To open the year with that kind of energy and effort says a lot about where we can go."
Up Next
CSU Pueblo (1–0) continues play at the Tipoff Classic on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. when they face tournament host Montana State University Billings, before wrapping up the weekend Sunday against the University of Mary.
