Game notes: CSU hosts Adams State in final exhibition game

Rams face Grizzlies Friday at 7 p.m.

Zoi Simmons

Nov. 4, 2009

Complete Release in PDF Format

Rams host Adams State in final exhibition... 
Second-year Head Coach Kristen Holt and the Colorado State women’s basketball program host the Adams State Grizzlies on Friday in the team's final exhibition game before the start of the 2009-10 season.

The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. MT from Moby Arena. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are available at the McGraw Athletic Center ticket office or online at CSURams.com.

Live statistics are available on CSURams.com by clicking on the “Gametracker” icon on the calendar of the home page or from the women’s basketball schedule page. 

About Adams State... 
The Adams State Grizzlies enter the 2009-10 season under fourth-year Head Coach Kelly Kruger. Last season the team finished with a 14-14 record and made the quarterfinals in the RMAC Tournament. The Grizzlies return four starters from last year's team that set an NCAA Division II school record by winning 14 games. They have been picked to finish third in the RMAC West Division and eighth overall in the preseason coaches' poll.

Highlighting the Grizzlies' returning players is junior guard Vera Jo Bustos. Bustos, the 2008 RMAC Freshman of the Year, led the Grizzlies in scoring last season with an average of 17.9 points per game. The sharp-shooting guard knocked down 88.5 percent of her free throws and 37.9 percent of her three-point attempts on the season. She was named first-team all-RMAC and set a school record by scoring 502 points.

CSU vs. Adams State comparison*... 

*(2008-09 statistics)

Last time out...    
On Thursday the Rams' first exhibition game to open the 2009-10 season, the Colorado State women's basketball team got off to a slow start, but came alive in the second half and finished with 81-59 win in dominating fashion over the CSU-Pueblo ThunderWolves.

Sophomore Kim Mestdagh took control of the game in the second half and led the Rams to the win. Mestdagh scored 23 of her 25 points in the second half, including seven three-pointers.

The Rams had three players score in double figures: Mestdagh (25), Meghan Heimstra (18) and Meixandra Porter (14).

Mestdagh and Heimstra each recorded a double-double with Mestdagh grabbing 11 rebounds and Heimstra pulling down 10. Chatilla van Grinsven led the Rams in rebounding with 13.

Home sweet home...   
Including exhibition games, Colorado State plays six of its first eight contests at Moby Arena. Overall since 1974-75, the Rams hold a record of 293-176 (.625) in Moby Arena.  The Rams will play a total of 14 regular-season contests in Moby Arena in 2009-10.

International flavor...  
Fans will notice that the 2009-10 Rams roster features many international players. Three sophomores from the Rams’ squad are from Europe. Guard/forward Kim Mestdagh hails from Ieper, Belgium, while forward Chatilla van Grinsven (Helmond) and Natalie van den Adel (Barendrecht) are both from the Netherlands.

Homegrown talent...   In addition to the three international players on the CSU roster, the Rams also feature three players from Colorado.  Junior guard Sara Hemmings graduated from Greeley West High School as a five-sport athlete, and played one season at the University of Northern Colorado before transferring to the University of Arizona and then coming to CSU.  Sophomore forward Meghan Heimstra is a former two-time all-Colorado peformer at Silver Creek High School in nearby Longmont, Colo., and freshman guard Kelly Bond led her team to a city championship and a Final 8 appearance at Longmont High School.  

Fresh faces...   
The Rams have five newcomers this season with three freshmen and two junior transfers. Freshman Chantel Kennedy looks to bring speed to the team this season. At Wesleyan High School in Norcross, Ga., Kennedy set a school record in track relays and was the state and regional champion in the 400 meter dash.

Meixandra Porter, a freshman guard from Freedom High School in Chantilly, Va., is said to be the most athletic player on the team pound for pound. At 5-6, she presses 170 pounds. 

Holt holding court...   Second-year Head Coach Kristen Holt begins her second season at the helm of the Rams’ program on Nov. 13 when CSU hosts Montana. Last season, Holt improved the Rams' overall record by six wins and improved conference wins by four games. She has installed a fast-paced offense this season in order to continue building a program of excellence at Colorado State.

Up next..   
The Rams host Montana on Nov. 13 at Moby Arena in the team's regular season opener. Last year, the Rams fell to the Grizzlies 68-53 despite a 20-point effort from then-freshman Kim Mestdagh. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. MT.