LAS VEGAS, N.M. - Colorado State University Pueblo women's basketball battled through a challenging RMAC road contest Saturday afternoon but came up short in a 65-56 setback at New Mexico Highlands inside the Wilson Complex in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
The ThunderWolves opened the game with strong energy and traded baskets with the Cowgirls throughout the first half. CSU Pueblo stayed within striking distance and went into the locker room trailing by just one point, 29-28, after 20 minutes of play.
New Mexico Highlands used a productive third quarter to create separation, outscoring the Pack 21-18 coming out of halftime. The Cowgirls continued to build momentum in the fourth quarter, adding 15 more points while limiting CSU Pueblo to 10, securing the nine-point victory.
Genesis Sweetwine led the Pack with 17 points. Sweetwine attacked downhill and consistently drew contact, finishing 7-of-8 from the free throw line while also handing out three assists.
Dasani Nesbit provided a strong spark off the bench, scoring 14 points in just over 16 minutes. Nesbit was aggressive on drives and in transition and added seven rebounds and two assists in her time on the floor.
Ruby Sweeney-Spitzeck contributed nine points and five rebounds, while Seneya Martinez played a majority of the game and added seven points with two assists. Wynter Jones chipped in three points, four rebounds, and two steals, and Jada Bobb added three points and five rebounds in limited action. Anya Owens pulled down five rebounds and scored three points off the bench, while Laci Roffle added two points and four rebounds.
CSU Pueblo shot 28.1 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from three-point range but stayed competitive by going 14-of-18 at the free throw line. The ThunderWolves found success in hustle areas, finishing with 20 points in the paint, 10 second-chance points, and a 7-2 edge in fast break scoring.
New Mexico Highlands was led by Melika Samia with 12 points, while Aniya Johnson recorded a double-double with 11 points and seven rebounds. Kamalani Anitielu and Aspen Salazar each added 10 points, with Salazar also grabbing nine rebounds. The Cowgirls' bench proved to be the difference, outscoring CSU Pueblo's reserves 29-7.
Despite the result, the ThunderWolves continued to battle on both ends of the floor and cut into the deficit multiple times in the second half, keeping pressure on Highlands until the final horn.
The Pack are back in action this week as the ThunderWolves travel to Grand Junction on Thursday to face No. 9 Colorado Mesa before continuing their road trip to Salt Lake City to take on Westminster on Saturday.
