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Women's basketball recap: Rams use second-half run for exhibition win over Adams State
Mestdagh's seven three-pointers leads Rams
Nov. 6, 2009
By Nic Hallisey FORT COLLINS, Colo.—Colorado State’s women’s basketball team opened the second half with a 12-0 run en route to an 84-67 win over the Adams State Grizzlies Friday night at Moby Arena. The win in the Rams’ final exhibition game prior to their regular-season opener, next Friday at home vs. Montana, gave the Rams a 2-0 record in preseason play. Locked in a 39-39 tie at intermission, sophomore Kim Mestdagh started the run with a three-pointer on the Rams’ first possession of the half. Three steals and three shots later, the Rams led 51-39 and never looked back, leading by double digits the rest of the way. “I thought our pass game in the first half was awful,” Head Coach Kristen Holt said. “I talked to them at the half about that. We came out fired up in the second half, and I was really proud to see that.” For the second consecutive game, it was Mestdagh who led the Rams, scoring 30 points on 7-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc. Her 30 points would have been a career-high in regular-season play. It also would have been the first time a Ram player scored 30 or more points since Sara Hunter tallied 41 nearly two years ago. “She is going to draw attention,” Holt said. “She can shoot and she can shoot with range.” Added Mestdagh, “It gives me a lot of confidence this early in the season.” The guard also led the Rams in their first exhibition game with 25 points. Behind Mestdagh’s 30 points, three other Colorado State players tallied double figures: Bonnie Barbee (13), Zoi Simmons (12) and Chatilla van Grinsven (11).
On defense, the Rams forced 26 turnovers, collecting 19 steals on the evening. Mestdagh’s seven was a team high. Limited by injuries, the Rams were forced to play with just two reserves coming off of the bench. “It is what it is,” Holt said. “I felt it was more important for the ones in the game to realize they did not have a sub. It was a good character thing for us to go through.” When van Grinsven fouled out with six minutes to play, and Chantel Kennedy nursing an ankle injury after going for a loose ball, the Rams were forced to use Natalie van den Adel, who is still recovering from a sprained ankle. Kennedy returned later in the game. The win wraps up exhibition play. Colorado State next hosts Montana next Friday at 7 p.m. at Moby Arena. “We’re looking to build off of tonight,” Holt said. “I’m proud of their efforts.” |
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