Cowgirls overcome CSU in Border War

Written by Kendall Hickman

Wednesday, 25 February 2009 21:03

The Cowgirls proved that gold is worth more than emerald.

Playing in the second installment of the Border War, the Cowgirls walked away victorious over their opponents, the Colorado State University Rams, 71-62.

The Rams found the net first, sinking a field goal, which was answered by a Randi Richardson 3-pointer to change the lead. A 6-2 run gave CSU a one-point advantage, at 8-7, after eight minutes of play. A 3-pointer from sophomore Jade Kennedy changed the tides, giving Wyoming the advantage. They followed that with two more shots from beyond the arc, and two free throws from freshman Emma Langford gave the Cowgirls a double-figure lead, 18-8. Chipping away at the lead, the Rams put up numbers through two free throws, but a 3-pointer from freshman Kristen Scheffler extended the lead to 21-10. The Rams retaliated through a series of field goals, and after sophomore Hillary Carlson and Kennedy each found the net, the sides were 25-19 with three minutes on the clock. A Richardson long shot extended Wyoming’s lead, and the Rams would finish their scoring in the first half on free throws, 28-22. With under two minutes left in the half, the Cowgirls hit two 3-pointers and a field goal to take a 13-point lead at the buzzer, 35-22.

By the numbers, the Cowgirls fared better on 3-pointers than straight field goals. They shot 43.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 37.5 percent from within it. Out of 32 total attempts, exactly half were 3-pointers.

Colorado State started off the second half the same way they did the first – sinking a field goal. A 10-2 run over the next four minutes gave Wyoming a healthy 18-point lead over the Rams, 45-27. CSU answered with back-to-back field goals and continued to chip away at Wyoming’s lead. A Ram 10-6 run brought the game back within single digits, 50-42, with six and a half minutes on the clock. The Cowgirls went on a 6-2 run to extend their advantage to 56-44. With three minutes remaining, the sides were at an even ten apart, 58-48. From this point forward, Wyoming would make points only through free throws. Two Ram field goals and trips to the charity line for both teams led to a 61-53 score, and CSU continued to pull closer to the Cowgirls, sinking a 3-pointer. Several CSU fouls gave Wyoming five trips to the free throw line, and through 10points the Cowgirls extended the lead back to double digits with less than a minute to go. Then the buzzer sounded, the Cowgirls victorious 71-62.

The Cowgirls will make their final home appearance Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m., when they take on the Air Force Falcons.

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