CHADRON, Neb. – The Colorado State University Pueblo women's basketball used a dominant second half and a relentless defensive effort to pull away from Chadron State here Thursday morning, earning a 66-54 victory in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game that tipped off at 11 a.m. on the Chicoine Center on the CSC campus.

With the win, the ThunderWolves improved to 5-5 overall and moved to 2-1 in the league, while Chadron State, who is coached by former Pack assistant coach Jalen Little, fell to 0-6 overall and 0-3 in the league.

After a back-and-fourth first half that saw seven lead changes and the Pack holding a one-point lead at 30-29 at the half, the Pack flipped the game out of the locker room to open the second half as they ripped off an 11-2 run to start the third quarter and outscored the Eagles, 20-14 in the frame to take a 50-43 lead heading into the final quarter.

In the third quarter, the Pack forced CSU into nine turnovers that led to 12 points and shot 47 percent from the field and was 3-for-7 from the 3-point line in the period to take control of the game.

CSU would pull within 50-47 in the opening 97 seconds of the fourth quarter, before the Pack responded with a five straight points by Sweetwine, a three-point play by Bobb and another basket by Sweetwine to push in front 60-47 with 5:30 left in the game. CSC would score seven of the game's final 13 points to cap the scoring.

The Pack outscored the Eagles, 36-25, in the second half in Thursday's victory.

For the game, the Pack's defensive pressure proved decisive as the Pack forced 29 Chadron State turnovers that were turned in 40 points, including 17 points in transition. The Pack finished with just 18 turnovers, including just six in the second half and also had season-high 16 steals.

Three Pack players finished with 15 points in the contest as senior guard Ruby Sweeney-Spitzeck (Melbourne, Australia/Idaho State) tallied 15 points and a career-high nine rebounds, while senior guard Genesis Sweetwine (Aurora, Colo./Northeastern JC) also scored 15 points and added four assists and four steals, while freshman forward Jada Bobb (Aurora, Colo./Eaglecrest) also tallied 15 points and added four rebounds in her first career start.

Junior forward Anyla Owens (Colorado Springs, Colo./Otero JC) scored nine points off the bench as the Pack held a 24-21 advantage in bench points in the win.

In addition, senior forward Seneya Martinez (Windsor, Colo./Appalachian State) had seven points, four rebounds and four steals in the victory.

For the game, the Pack shot 36 percent from the field and 30 percent (10-for-33) from the 3-point line, while Chadron State finished the game shooting 45 percent from the field and 47 percent (8-for-17) from the 3-point line.

CSC won the rebounding battle, 34-33, but the Pack held a 17-10 edge on the offensive boards and that led to a slight 14-10 advantage in second chance points.

The Pack also was 12-for-16 (75 percent) from the free throw line, while CSC made two of its three free throw attempts in the game.

Ella Moser paced Chadron State with 17 points off the bench as she was 6-for-10 from the field, including going 4-for-8 from the 3-point line. In addition to Moser, McKenzi Peterson tallied 13 points and eight rebounds in the loss.

The Pack will continue its road trip with a 1 p.m. game on Saturday, Dec. 13 in Rapid City, S.D., against South Dakota Mines (3-5 overall, 2-0 RMAC). The Hardrockers host Colorado Christian on Thursday night, before facing the Pack on Saturday afternoon.