Pueblo, Colo. – The Mavericks (12-1, 9-0 RMAC) defeated Colorado State University Pueblo (8-7, 6-3 RMAC) on the road, 67-58, on Saturday night. The Mavericks were led by Kylyn Rigsby for the second straight night leading all scorers with 21 points (8-of-18). She broke a new career high with this performance. 

The Mavericks extended their win streak to eleven and remain perfect on the road at 5-0.

Karina Brandon led the Mavs in rebounds with eight and five steals. Sydni Brandon dished out a team high three assists.

The Mavericks shot 40% (25-of-63) from the field, and 17% (3-of-18) from the three point line. Colorado Mesa shot an impressive 82% (14-of-17) from the free-throw line. The Mavs out rebounded the Thunderwolves 38-37 and suffered six fewer turnovers (17 to 23).

The Thunderwolves were led by Sydni Williams who recorded 18 points (4-of-11) and 10 rebounds. CSU Pueblo shot 32.7% (16-of-49) from the field. They shot 33.3% (4-of-12) from the arc and 84.6% from the free throw line (22-of-26).

The Mavericks and Thunderwolves went back and forth for the opening minutes of the game until Karina Brandon hit a pair of free throws to start the Mavericks on a 6-0 run that ended at the 3:05 mark in the opening quarter with the Mavericks leading 12-5. The Thunderwolves answered and tied it up  with 1:03 remaining in quarter one. Kelsey Siemons had the final say of the quarter by knocking down the Mavericks first three-pointer and the Mavs owned a 15-14 led after the first ten minutes.

The Thunderwolves hit the first five points of the the second quarter but Rigsby and Sydni Brandon answered with six straight points to tie the game 21 all at the 7:59 mark. The Thunderwolves couldn't continue to answer as the Mavericks went on a 12-2 run entering the locker room and the Mavs led 32-23 at the half.

The third quarter was the only quarter the Mavericks lost as they were outscored 15-19 during this ten minute span. Starting at the 4:18 mark the Thunderwolves went on a 9-2 run until Natalie Bartle and Sierra McNicol hit back-to-back lay ups to keep the Mavericks lead 45-36 with 1:26 remaining. At the end of the third quarter the Thunderwolves had closed in but the Mavericks still led 47-42.

The Mavericks had a strong fourth quarter going 6-6 from the free-throw line and made seven field goals. The Thunderwolves were just as successful from the free throw line during this crucial quarter as they went 8-of-8 but they only made three field goals. Natalie Bartle scored a quick layup to start the final quarter but the Thunderwolves answered with baskets of their own. CSU Pueblo's Jennah Knafelc made a three–pointer putting the Mavs down 53-54 at the 3:51 mark but Sydni Brandon and Kylyn Rigsby answered with quickly with back-to-back three point plays that were completed at the free throw line to put the Mavericks in the lead 59-54 with 2:56 remaining. Tori Catlett stole the ball shorty after and the Mavericks closed the game on a 14-4 run for a final score of 67-58.

After the final buzzer the Mavericks picked up their eleventh straight win and are only one of two team in the RMAC with a perfect 9-0 record.

Next Up

The Mavericks will stay on the road for games next weekend against Adams State University and Fort Lewis College on Jan 18 and 19, respectively.