Rocky Mountain Minds: The Colorado State University Experience

LOGAN, Utah – Graduate seniors Emma Ronsiek and Hannah Simental together scored 39 points as Colorado State women’s basketball triumphed over a season-high in turnovers to defeat Utah State, 83-74, during the initial game of Mountain West play on Sunday.

The Rams (10-4, 1-0 MW) did not deliver a flawless game as the Aggies (1-12, 0-1 MW) employed a full-court press that led to 15 turnovers from a team that had an average of a nation-leading 8.8 prior to this matchup. Colorado State capitalized on an impressive shooting display, succeeding on 47.5% of their field goal attempts and hitting 52.0% from beyond the arc, including a 5-for-9 performance from deep by Simental.

Holding a slim three-point lead at halftime, Colorado State executed a 12-0 surge as part of a hefty 29-point third quarter to create some distance, which was sufficient as both sides struggled offensively in the fourth quarter, with each only scoring 11 points and shooting below 30% from the field.

Emma Ronsiek concluded the contest with 20 points on 6-for-11 shooting from the field, adding a game-high eight rebounds and five assists. Simental’s five three-pointers contributed to a 19-point effort, while Hannah Ronsiek (11 points, 7 rebounds) and Brooke Carlson (10 points, 4 assists) completed the list of double-digit scorers for CSU. All nine players who participated in the game for Colorado State managed to score, and the Rams’ bench outscored the Aggies’ 35-11.

How It Unfolded
After Utah State began the game with a three-pointer, Colorado State established a 12-7 advantage with less than five minutes remaining in the period. The lead stretched to eight with under a minute left, but consecutive baskets from the Aggies kept them within reach.

In the second quarter, Colorado State orchestrated a 10-2 scoring run, pushing the lead into double digits. Utah State’s Cheyenne Stubbs netted 10 points in the period to maintain pressure, while Carlie Latta scored the last seven points of the half, narrowing the Ram lead back to three.

USU commenced the second half strongly as consecutive threes from Gracie Johnson put the home team ahead just two minutes into the third quarter. Needing a response, CSU took control five minutes into the period, scoring 12 consecutive points, with five different Rams contributing to the tally. As the quarter concluded, Carlson maneuvered the ball down the court and found Simental in the corner, and the birthday girl launched one of her season-high five three-pointers to beat the buzzer, giving Colorado State a nine-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Both teams encountered offensive difficulties in the closing period, with each squad shooting under 30% from the field and accumulating seven turnovers combined. Utah State reduced the deficit to seven midway through the quarter, but the Rams countered with five consecutive points finished off by an and-1 layup by Emma Ronsiek, effectively sealing the game.

What’s Next
The Rams return to Moby for two conference matchups to kick off the new year, starting with a Wednesday (Jan. 1) afternoon game against San Diego State at 1 p.m. The week wraps up with Colorado State hosting San Jose State on Saturday (Jan. 4), also set to begin at 1 p.m. Tickets for all Colorado State women’s basketball contests can be obtained at CSURams.com/WBBTickets.