The Colorado State women’s basketball team (4-1) got back on track after suffering its first loss of the season by beating Morgan State (1-4) to advance to the final of the Navy Classic.
It was another somewhat sluggish offensive performance for the Rams as both teams struggled to score for much of the contest. CSU managed just five points in the first quarter, but Morgan State barely outscored the Rams with seven. The Rams found their rhythm in the second quarter, capitalizing on their pesky defense to outscore the the Lady Bears 17-7, and take a 22-14 lead into the half.
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CSU forced 10 turnovers and held MSU to 19.4 percent shooting from the field (6-for-31 FG). Rebounding kept MSU in the game despite its offensive woes as the Lady Bears mustered 11 offensive boards in the first half. CSU was up 28-20 in the fourth when a 7-0 run by MSU cut the lead and brought the Lady Bears within three heading into the final period.
The Rams were clinging to a 38-36 lead with 6:13 remaining when Keyora Wharry checked back in and helped lead a 16-0 run to end the game in decisive fashion, something the team failed to do Tuesday against Penn. After allowing just five points in the fourth quarter, the Rams have no held opponent to just single digits in nine of the 20 quarters they have played this season. MSU was held to 36 points in total, which is the second fewest in Navy Classic history.
Wharry led as CSU’s only double digit scorer with 10 points while also notching six rebounds and four assists. Jamie Patrick dropped in nine points, three rebounds and three assists. Ellen Nystrom set the tone defensively with a few blocks and steals early on, and filled up the box score as usual with eight points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
Collegian Sports Editor Emmett McCarthy can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com and on Twitter @emccarthy22.
